Grand Canyon Times

New York author Fran Lebowitz recently joked on Bill Maher's show that Arizona is unnecessary, suggesting it could be traded for Ukraine. She also criticized states like Arizona and Tennessee for their political choices, reflecting a broader disdain for conservative-leaning regions.

“Bill Maher's panelist illustrates how Kamala Harris and Democrats condescendingly view 'Flyover country' states like Arizona, Tennessee,” comedian and filmmaker Eric Abbenante wrote in a Sept. 27 social media post on X. “Kamala Harris and the Democrats' new campaign slogan: 'Take Arizona, Leave Ukraine.' Bill Maher had the audacity to do an ending monologue tonight proclaiming that Democrats had reclaimed Patriotism. Spare me, they despise any non-coastal American state.”

Attached to Abbenante's social media post was a clip from Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO which contained a conversation between host Bill Maher and panelist Fran Leibowitz.

Bill Maher: "What are your thoughts on Kamala's trip to the border? I don't think she needs Arizona." 

Fran Leibowitz: "I don't think anyone needs Arizona. Putin: 'Here take Arizona, leave Ukraine.'" 

Bill Maher: "You're going to a red state. You don't want to insult all the red states, you go there." 

Fran Leibowitz: "I go to Nashville and I say, 'Really Nashville?'" 

Bill Maher: "There are plenty of intelligent people in Nashville and Arizona. They come out to see you." 

Fran Leibowitz: "Not plenty. Look at their politicians. Look at who they elect."

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris recently visited Arizona on Sept. 27 ahead of the 2024 election. It was her first trip to the border since a visit to El Paso, Texas in 2021. Trump and Republicans criticized her visit as a “photo op” and blamed her for the ongoing border crisis, citing data on criminal histories among migrants crossing into the U.S.

According to an analysis of CBP Data, there have been 452,520 total encounters in the Tucson Sector and 52,062 encounters in the Yuma Sector during fiscal year 2024.

CBP has reported more than 2.7 million illegal alien encounters during Fiscal Year 2024, while there were only 646,822 in Fiscal Year 2020. 

Fran Lebowitz is an American author, public speaker, and social commentator known for expressing her opinions on politics, society, and everyday absurdities with a blend of sarcasm and satire.

Eric Abbenante is a filmmaker, writer, and podcaster, known for his work in independent media. He is involved in several creative and political discussions online, particularly through platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where he frequently shares commentary on current events and political figures. He and his wife Lila Hart are co-creators of films American History of Voter Fraud and World Death Organization.