During a recent segment of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” host Bill Maher and Lara Trump discussed Maher’s long-running disputes with critics who accuse him of opposing vaccines, as well as their shared skepticism toward the flu shot and the widespread coercion that surrounded COVID-19 vaccination policies.

Maher opened the discussion by noting that criticism of his vaccine comments long predates the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m someone who, again, has been accused for many years, way before you people got on the scene of being an anti people, an anti Vaxxer,” Maher said.

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Lara Trump responded, “Oh, were you accused of that?”

Maher continued, “Before a lot of this shit came along, that’s, that was their main thing against me.”

Trump replied, “Really?”

Maher emphasized that he does not oppose vaccines outright, but has repeatedly questioned the flu shot in particular.

“Yes, and I’m not an anti Vaxxer. I just said I would never get a flu shot because, first of all, the flu is always shifting.”

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Lara Trump agreed, pointing to the unpredictability of seasonal flu strains.

“Correct, you don’t even know what strain is out there, Neither do people who manufacture the vaccine.”

Maher added, “You’re getting the strain from the last one.”

Trump again agreed. “Correct.”

Maher then described his own experience receiving a flu shot.

“So it’s not and I remember I got a flu shot once, and immediately got the flu.”

Lara Trump said she had heard similar stories, including from her own family.

“I feel like everyone tells me that my mom told me that my mom was a nurse for forever, and she told me years ago she was like, I don’t, I don’t just don’t get the flu shot anymore, because every time I’ve ever gotten it, I get the flu immediately after it.”

Maher shifted to the broader issue of vaccine mandates and the atmosphere during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Also I believe that I should have to be had the right to choose. I shouldn’t this the coercion that went on during covid. I was not down with that.”

Lara Trump responded, “Terrible.”

Maher concluded the discussion by noting that his objections to COVID-era mandates continue to shape how some on the political left view him.

“Okay, so you can see why the left is very skeptical of me on that issue.”

WATCH:

BILL MAHER: “I remember I got a flu shot once and immediately got the flu.”

LARA TRUMP: “Everyone tells me that … My mom was a nurse … and she told me years ago, I just don’t get the flu shot anymore because every time I’ve ever gotten it, I get the flu immediately after it.” pic.twitter.com/lfwMPuc4Gb

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) November 24, 2025

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