In what could only be described as one of the most awkward moments in late-night television, Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz was unceremoniously booted from Real Time with Bill Maher after a less-than-flattering confrontation with the show’s notoriously blunt host. The headline moment? Maher, after grilling Walz on his political record, looked him dead in the eye and declared, “You’re a disappointment,” before having him escorted off the set.

The event unfolded so quickly that audience members were left wondering if it was part of some elaborate prank. Alas, it wasn’t. It was a classic Bill Maher moment, where political pleasantries were thrown out the window and replaced with a dose of sharp-edged reality.

When it was announced that Tim Walz would appear on Maher’s show, political insiders raised eyebrows. After all, Walz has had a rough few months, from public family squabbles over distant relatives endorsing Trump, to resurfaced allegations about his military service, to getting thrown out of Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant (an incident that still haunts him). If ever there was a politician in need of some good press, it was Tim Walz. So, why he thought facing Bill Maher would be a good idea remains a mystery.

Maher, known for his no-nonsense style and penchant for calling out political figures, didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for Walz. From the moment the governor stepped onto the stage, the tension was palpable. Walz flashed his politician’s smile, clearly hoping to win over the audience with charm and vague platitudes, but Maher was having none of it.

The interview started innocuously enough, with Maher asking Walz the standard questions about his campaign, his views on the 2024 election, and his thoughts on the current political climate. Walz responded with well-rehearsed talking points, but his answers were notably lacking in substance. As usual, the governor danced around direct questions, offering flowery but empty phrases about “uniting the country” and “moving forward.”

But Maher, never one to let anyone off easy, quickly grew frustrated. The tipping point came when Maher asked Walz about the controversy surrounding his National Guard service—specifically, the claims that Walz had retired from the Guard just before his unit was deployed to Iraq. It’s a topic that has dogged Walz throughout his political career, and Maher wasn’t going to let him sidestep it.

“So, Tim,” Maher began, “you’ve been accused of what some people are calling ‘stolen valor,’ retiring before your unit went to Iraq. You want to clear that up for us?”

Walz smiled awkwardly and launched into what sounded like a rehearsed speech about his dedication to veterans and public service. “Well, Bill, as someone who has always respected our troops, I—”

Maher cut him off. “No, no, no, don’t give me that canned answer. Did you, or did you not, leave your unit right before deployment?”

Walz, clearly flustered, tried to pivot. “I believe that service comes in many forms, and I’ve always worked—”

But Maher wasn’t having it. “You’re dodging the question, Tim. Just like you dodged deployment. You want to be vice president, and you can’t even give a straight answer on your military record? Come on.”

The audience gasped. Walz blinked, caught completely off guard. He attempted to recover by laughing it off, but the damage was done. Maher, seeing Walz squirm, pressed further.

“You know, I’ve had politicians on this show who’ve done some questionable things, but you… You’re a disappointment, Tim,” Maher said, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. “And honestly, I don’t think you’re cut out for this.”

And then, in true Bill Maher fashion, the final blow was delivered. Maher turned to the show’s producers, gestured toward Walz, and said, “You know what? I’ve had enough. Get him out of here. He’s wasting everyone’s time.”

The studio audience was stunned. For a moment, it seemed like no one was sure if Maher was serious. But when two burly stagehands appeared, it became clear that Walz was indeed being thrown off the show—literally.

Walz, still trying to maintain his composure, stood up, smiled nervously at the audience, and muttered, “Thank you for having me, Bill,” before being escorted out. The audience, unsure whether to applaud or cringe, sat in awkward silence as Walz disappeared backstage.