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Donald Trump Sues Bill Maher over orangutan joke

By April MacIntyre Feb 5, 2013, 6:39 GMT

Donald Trump - 2012 Miss Universe Pageant - Arrivals - Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino - Las Vegas, NV, USA © PRN / PRPhotos.com

During a past 'Real Time with Bill Maher' episode, host Bill Maher cracked a joke about Donald Trump being descended from orangutans.

Not so funny to the Donald.

He is suing and says, 'That was venom. That wasn't a joke. In fact, he was nervous when he said it.'

Donald Trump is taking Bill Maher's joke seriously. The 66-year-old NBC reality TV star is not amused.

Maher made the joke as a response to Trump's pre-election offer to give $5 million to the charity of Barack Obama's choice if President Obama released his college records. Maher said he would do the same for Trump if the businessman gave proof that he's not descended from an ape.

Maher then joked that he would give the money to "Hair Club for Men" or "The Institute for Incorrigible Douchebaggery."

Trump quickly sent Maher a letter with a copy of his birth certificate attached "demonstrating that he is the son of Fred Trump, not an orangutan."

"I don't think he was joking. He said it with venom. That was venom. That wasn't a joke. In fact, he was nervous when he said it; it was a pathetic delivery," Trump said via phone on "Fox and Friends". "He promised me $5 million for charity if I provided certain information. Well, I provided the information. He didn't pay. So today I sue Bill Maher for $5 million for charity."

Maher, 57, has responded with a tweet:

"What?? Really? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha"