Comedian Bill Maher said he speaks for “normals” who are “tired of the partisanship” in politics and defended his decision to feature controversial guests during an interview.
The 68-year-old host of HBO’s ‘Real Time’ appeared on ‘CBS News Sunday Morning’ ahead of the release of his new book, aptly titled ‘What This Comedian Said Will Shock You.’
Maher discussed his approach to comedy with correspondent Robert Costa, who noted that he often delved into both sides of the aisle.
‘Keep it real. Don’t be tribal. Don’t say something just because it will make the audience on one side applaud or boo,” Maher said.
He claimed that represented “norms” and “that vast middle that is tired of partisanship,” adding, “I don’t want to hate half the country, and I don’t hate half the country.”
The 68-year-old host of HBO’s ‘Real Time’ appeared on ‘CBS News Sunday Morning’ ahead of the release of his new book, aptly titled ‘What This Comedian Said Will Shock You.’
Maher spoke about his approach to comedy with correspondent Robert Costa
Maher has addressed this gap in ‘Real Time’.
“The right response to speech you don’t like is more speech, not the lazy, cowardly response of canceling people,” he said during an episode in February 2022.
On Sunday he acknowledged that this approach and his decision to embrace far-right figures such as Steve Bannon and Roger Stone have generated controversy.
“Yes, this is exactly what I hate about this country,” Maher professed. ‘”How dare you? How dare you platform someone?”
“You’ll have to talk to people and maybe you’ll find out they’re not the monsters you think they are.”
Costa responded to Maher’s incessant attacks on Democrats – who, at best, “irritate” and “frustrate” him, according to the book – despite claiming to be more “alarmed” about Republicans.
‘Yes, they are very alarming. They are extremely alarming. More alarming,’ Maher said.
However, he continued: ‘The truth is not so one-sided. Democrats constantly compete against Trump with the idea that “you couldn’t vote for this guy.” And people say, “Look at me. Hold my beer. Watch me vote for him again.”
He claimed that this represented “normalities” and “that vast middle that is tired of partisanship,” adding: “I don’t want to hate half the country, and I don’t hate half the country.”
Maher called on Democrats to simply deal with the facts.
“We know he’s a liar.” This is Donald Trump! He can’t help it. He is crazy,” the 68-year-old claimed.
‘I mean, I think it’s literally crazy. I think there’s a kind of level of malignant narcissism, which is not just a personality quirk, it’s diagnosable and he suffers from it.’
‘If you had him in “Real Time”, what would you ask him?’ —Costa asked.
‘Could you please leave?’ Maher joked with a laugh, before alluding that the former president had previously received an invitation.
Of course, we’ve asked everyone, I mean those of that stature. He knows he has an open invitation to come, but I don’t think he really hates me, because of how many times he chases after me.’
While Maher emphasizes the importance of facts and objectivity, he has not shied away from expressing his opinions. These include her distaste for gender-affirming attention and her support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
‘They say that in politics the liberals are the accelerator and the conservatives the brake. And I usually step on the gas, but not if we’re driving off a cliff,” Maher said during an episode of his talk show last month.
“As for the trans issue, the United States has no ifs ands or buts, it is absolutely alone in the world now, it is an atypical country.”
In March, he proclaimed that “far-left liberals” were “living in an old paradigm” as “Americans no longer fit into neat little boxes.”
The outspoken host donated $1 million to a super PAC affiliated with Senate Democrats in 2018, according to campaign finance disclosures.
