Bill Maher has taken a month-long break from Real Time and discovered he is behind on the latest online lingo, including “Brat Summer.”
During Friday’s show, the host tried to comprehend the recent social media viral craze that has taken over the internet. It all began when Charli XCX released her most recent studio album, Brat, in June.
“What do you think about this? Somehow, Kamala got to be ‘brat,’” Maher asked Collins, to which she joked, “Are you jealous?”
After Maher clarified that he’s “not” jealous, he proceeded to ask his guest if she thought it was a “smart move” for Kamala Harris‘ campaign to embrace the label — one that he’s clearly confused by — which has inspired TikTok dances, memes and fashion trends.
“I think at a time when everyone wants young voters, who historically don’t turn out in large numbers, they’re leaning into it,” Collins responded. “I don’t think everyone on the Harris campaign, certainly not in the White House, fully understood ‘brat’ either. It’s not really Washington’s strong suit — I lived there for close to a decade. But I think they leaned into it in the sense of, how does it appeal to young voters? And if older voters don’t get it, it’s not a big deal.”
The CNN journalist went on to note that it’s not just the Harris campaign that trying to “reach out to young people,” but also Donald Trump.
“He does a lot of podcasts, people that maybe most people haven’t heard of, but his campaign, I’ve talked to them, they’re trying to reach that same subset of voters, obviously different leanings. But I think that’s how they’re trying to go out and meet young people where they are, whether it’s a meme or a podcast.”
As a way to better comprehend the “brat” phenomenon, Maher also read Charli XCX’s definition: “You’re just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels like herself but maybe also has a breakdown. But kind of like parties through it, is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile. Like, does dumb things.”
However, the word’s official meaning only led the comedian to realize, “I don’t want my president to be this.”
Maher also feels like Trump is more “brat,” based on its definition. “It sounds like Trump,” he said. “I think he’s very brat.”
Both Gen Z and millennials have embraced the “brat” lifestyle since Charli XCX’s latest album was released on June 7. Kamala HQ’s social media accounts have even changed their banner image on X (formerly Twitter) to reflect the Brat album’s aesthetic of lime green and its signature Arial font.
On the most recent Real Time show, Maher was joined by Dan Crenshaw and James Carville as guests.
