Bill Maher Tricks Guests With 'Racist' Paul Ryan Quote That Was Actually Said by Michelle Obama — The Reaction He Gets Is Priceless

After his guests thoroughly slammed Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) over his comments on the importance of changing the culture of “inner cities” to emphasize the value of “work,” HBO’s Bill Maher pulled a fast one.

He read another similar quote from Ryan… except it was actually said by first lady Michelle Obama.

“When it comes to getting an education, too many of our young people just can’t be bothered. They’re sitting on couches for hours playing video games, watching TV. Instead of dreaming of being a teacher or a lawyer or a business leader, they’re fantasizing about being a baller or a rapper,” Maher said, quoting the first lady.

When Maher revealed what he had done, comedian W. Kamau Bell was visibly surprised. It took a moment for him to come up with a reply.

Bill Maher (HBO)

HBO

The audience was noticeably silent as well.

“Is something less true if a white person says it?” Maher asked the panel.

“I don’t think this a Republican or Democrat issue, this is a people issue,” Bell replied.

“Well, yeah suddenly,” Maher joked. He also said the first lady’s comments sound even more like telling black people not to be “lazy.”

Bell then defended Michelle Obama’s comments, saying “she was talking to black people — we talk to each other differently than we talk in front of you.”

Watch the segment via HBO:

(H/T: Mediaite)