HBO host Bill Maher William (Bill) MaherBill Maher to Joy Reid: 'Very nervous' about Biden's chances after GOP convention Bill Maher revives QAnon gag: 'I am Q' Oliver Stone, Bill Maher tangle on reliability of US intelligence on Russia: 'You think they're lying?' MORE on Friday called out former GOP Rep. Joe Walsh Joe WalshSunday shows preview: Protests continue over shooting of Blake; coronavirus legislation talks remain at impasse Republicans officially renominate Trump for president Tucker Carlson responds to guest correcting pronunciation of Kamala Harris's name: 'So what?' MORE (Ill.) over his policy positions and past rhetoric as Walsh seeks to mount a primary bid against President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE in 2020.

“You don’t like that he lies. You don’t like that he’s a traitor. Little things,” Maher joked on his show. “But let’s just go down the list and see how much in line you [are].”

Maher listed several policy actions Trump has taken — including appointing conservative Supreme Court justices, speeding up gas pipeline projects and planning to expand oil drilling in Alaska — most of which Walsh support.

ADVERTISEMENT

Walsh conceded that he “helped lead to Trump,” along with a “weak, feckless Republican Party” and “people like me who let our rhetoric get ahead of us.”

“This thing has nothing to do with issues. Donald Trump is a horrible human being. Period,” Walsh said to an applauding audience, adding: “Here’s the point. I am a Republican. I am a conservative Republican. I do not and will not lie every time I open my mouth.”

Maher also called out Walsh for being “a leader of the anti-Obama nutcase caucus,” referencing the one-term congressman’s 2016 tweet where he falsely claimed former President Obama was Muslim.

The liberal comedian joked about the White House hopeful admitting “you sent out 4,000 tweets, some of them were racist but you’re not a racist. A fine distinction to make,” generating laughter from the audience.

“Just look me in the eye and tell me that the seething, frothing hatred that I remember that you had for Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaDemocrats ramp up pressure on Lieberman to drop out of Georgia Senate race The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on Trump: 'He'll leave' l GOP laywers brush off Trump's election remarks l Obama's endorsements Trump pledges to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, designate KKK a terrorist group in pitch to Black voters MORE had nothing to do with the fact that he was black,” Maher said.

“Gosh, no,” replied Walsh. “His policies.”

Walsh addressed his past controversial remarks last month, saying that he wasn’t a racist but had said "racist things."