Overview
- Maher used his HBO program to criticize the Trump administration’s business interventions, naming a reported 9.9% government stake in Intel, a claimed 15% cut on Nvidia chip sales to China, and a government 'golden share' tied to the Nippon Steel–U.S. Steel deal.
- Maher and guests framed the moves as both 'socialism' and 'crony capitalism' and argued the actions show the government now exerts boardroom influence over strategic companies.
- Tara Palmeri alleged the interventions benefited private investors, saying President Trump bought Nvidia stock after the government action and profited as the share price rose, while Matt Welch called the administration’s pressure on corporate leaders 'thuggish.'
- The segment aired Friday, August 7, and coverage on August 8 repeated the on-air claims but did not provide independent verification of the specific financial details or report an official White House response.
- Observers note these moves reflect a growing use of ownership stakes, sales conditions and special veto rights in national-security sectors and say those tools raise new questions about corporate governance and conflicts of interest going forward.