'Auditioning for SNL': Republican brutally mocked after Trump debate with Bill Maher

Critics of President Donald Trump often describe the far-right MAGA movement as a "cult," arguing that MAGA Republicans exhibit cult-like behavior in order to express their unwavering devotion to "Dear Leader."

One of those critics is political comedian Bill Maher. During the Friday night, June 20 broadcast of his show "Real Time," Maher and two guests — Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) and veteran Democratic strategist/consultant Paul Begala — debated whether or not MAGA and the GOP have become a "cult" in service to Trump.

Hunt, a strident and unwavering Trump supporter, insisted that pro-Trump Republicans welcome diversity of thought and are not cult-like in support of Trump. But Maher and Begala laid out some examples of how cult-like the Trumpified GOP has become.

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Maher told Hunt, "Of all the people in Congress, I think you're the one who is most always backing whatever Trump does" — to which the GOP congressman responded, "Yes, sir."

Addressing the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Maher told Hunt, "With this decision about Iran, is it really predicated on how you feel about Trump?.... This, to me, is the difference between a political party and a cult. Cults go by what the person does, and parties are (about) ideas. I'm going to make my decision based on the ideas. I feel like some people do it just by the person."

Hunt's efforts to defend Trump on Maher's show are drawing a lot of mockery on X, formerly Twitter.

Veteran journalist Jeff Greenfield tweeted, "Someone tell me that Rep. Wesley Hunt, now on Bill Maher, is not auditioning for a spot on 'SNL' as the ultimate blowhard politician."

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Journalist/author Jacy Franklyn posted, "Omg @WesleyHuntTX is a master deflector… typical politician doesn't answer the questions he's asked & just goes off with his talking points. He's exhausting, like Trump. And tonight he has worn a hole in his kneepads. What a Trump a-- licker. #BillMaher #RealTime #HBO."

X user DJ Omega MVP wrote, "YES, sir. Maga is a cult."

The Democratic group Blue Georgia tweeted clips of the broadcast, citing examples of Hunt's inability to refute anything Maher or Begala had to say.

Blue Georgia tweeted, "Rep. Wesley Hunt: *word salad* Bill Maher: 'I know you love him [Trump].' Paul Begala: 'We are putting our lives in the hands of Pete Hegseth and Deportation Barbie.'"

In a separate tweet, Blue Georgia posted, "Rep. Wesley Hunt: 'You know what a big idea is? Running for president in 2016 and winning. And the losing. Do you want to know what an even bigger idea is?' Bill Maher: 'Oh, you say he lost?' Hunt: 'No.' Walked right into this one."

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