Bill Maher says he’s ‘glad’ David Koch is dead

HBO host Bill Maher said Friday that he is “glad” billionaire conservative activist David Koch is dead, adding, that he hopes “the end was painful.”

“Yesterday, David Koch, of the zillionaire Koch brothers, died of prostate cancer. I guess I’m going to have to reevaluate my low opinion of prostate cancer,” Maher said, drawing laughter during his show, “Real Time.” “He was 79, but his family says they wish he could live longer, but at least he lived long enough to see the Amazon catch fire.”

“Condolences poured in from all the politicians he owned, and mourners have been asked in lieu of flowers to just leave their car engines running,” he said, pausing to applause. “As for his remains, he’s been asked to be cremated and have his ashes blown into a child’s lungs,” Maher quipped.{mosads}

Koch, who, along with his older brother, was a formidable conservative activist and donor, died Friday morning at age 79 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer more than two decades ago.

“He and his brother have done more than anybody to fund climate science deniers for decades, so f— him. The Amazon is burning up. I’m glad he’s dead, and I hope the end was painful,” Maher said.

The Koches are best known for their polarizing influence over American politics. They have been known largely for their massive political contributions to Republican candidates and libertarian-leaning causes. Koch and his brother Charles poured millions into organizations and causes to stop mobilization around climate change and environmental research and legislation as well as public transit initiatives.

The Koch network has lent a hand to many Washington figures, including to Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). In the 2016 election cycle alone, it spent nearly $900 million, almost matching what the entire Republican Party spent on candidates that year, according to The Washington Post.