Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Bill Maher

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Bill Maher.

Bill Maher is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He's best known for hosting the political talk show Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO (2003-present) and Politically Incorrect (1993-2002) on Comedy Central and ABC. In 2022, he launched the podcast Club Random.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

June 16, 2002: Cancellation of Politically Incorrect

On June 16, 2002, Politically Incorrect was officially canceled.

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2002: Cancellation of Politically Incorrect

In 2002, ABC decided not to renew Maher's contract for Politically Incorrect following controversial remarks made after the September 11 attacks. Maher's comments sparked significant backlash and advertising revenue loss.

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November 2004: Coco Johnsen sues Maher

In November 2004, Coco Johnsen sued Bill Maher for US$9 million for alleged insulting, humiliating, and degrading racial comments after their 17-month relationship ended.

November 23, 2004: Maher's lawyers respond to Johnsen's lawsuit

On November 23, 2004, Bill Maher's lawyers responded to Coco Johnsen's lawsuit, stating that Maher is a 'confirmed bachelor' who never promised to marry her or have children with her.

May 2, 2005: Johnsen's lawsuit against Maher dismissed

On May 2, 2005, Coco Johnsen's lawsuit against Bill Maher was dismissed.

October 19, 2007: Maher confronts 9/11 truthers on his show

On October 19, 2007, Bill Maher confronted and ejected 9/11 conspiracy theorists from his show audience after they disrupted the live broadcast.

February 12, 2013: Maher on Gun Ownership

On February 12, 2013, Bill Maher explained on Conan that he owns guns for home protection but does not identify as a "proud" gun owner.

June 7, 2013: Maher Expresses Limited Support for NSA's PRISM Program

On June 7, 2013, Bill Maher expressed limited support on his show for the NSA's PRISM intelligence data collection from private phone calls and the Internet, citing the threat of terrorists obtaining and using nuclear weapons as the tipping point.

2014: Maher Defends Israel's Military Actions

During the 2014 Gaza war, Bill Maher defended Israel's military actions against Palestinians amid criticism over civilian deaths and disproportionate casualty counts, arguing that Israel is still showing restraint.

November 2015: Maher Opposes Accepting Syrian Refugees

In November 2015, Bill Maher expressed opposition to the United States accepting Syrian refugees, citing differing values and potential risks.

2015: Maher Criticizes Obama's Visit to Saudi Arabia

In 2015, Bill Maher criticized Barack Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia, saying: "Stop respecting their medieval bullshit under the guise of, 'It's their culture.'"

October 2016: Maher Criticizes Julian Assange

In October 2016, Bill Maher criticized WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for publishing leaks from the DNC's emails, stating that Assange had "lost his way" and "hates Hillary."

March 31, 2017: Maher's Response to Clinton's Defeat

On March 31, 2017, Bill Maher responded on air to suggestions that Hillary Clinton was ready to end her low profile and speak out, telling her to stay in the woods, saying "You had your shot. You fucked it up."

June 2017: Maher's Controversial 'House Nigger' Comment

In June 2017, Bill Maher came under criticism for saying "I'm a house nigger" in response to Senator Ben Sasse on Real Time. HBO removed the segment, and Maher apologized for his offensive remark.

2017: Maher agrees that the left has allied itself with Islamists

In 2017, Bill Maher agreed with Sam Harris that the left has allied itself with Islamists, asserting liberals have failed to confront Islamic extremism. He defended his criticism of Islamic culture and Sharia Law.

February 2018: Maher describes the #MeToo movement as McCarthyism

In February 2018, Bill Maher described the #MeToo movement as McCarthyism.

April 13, 2018: Maher Predicts Trump Will Refuse to Concede

On April 13, 2018, Bill Maher began predicting that Trump would refuse to concede any loss in the 2020 United States presidential election.

March 14, 2019: Maher Cites Trump's Assertion

On March 14, 2019, Maher quoted Trump's assertion, "I have the support of the police, the military, the bikers [for Trump]" and "the tough people", citing this as evidence that Trump would seek to remain in office by force.

August 2019: Maher Denounces BDS Movement

In August 2019, Bill Maher denounced the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, saying it's based on shallow thinking regarding race. He also responded to Rep. Rashida Tlaib's call to boycott his talk show.

August 2019: Maher on Recession and Trump

In August 2019, Bill Maher stated that an economic recession would be "worth it" if Donald Trump did not get re-elected in 2020, prioritizing avoiding another Trump term.

2019: Gorski criticizes Maher's claims about vaccines

In 2019, David Gorski criticized Bill Maher for his HBO interview with Dr. Jay Gordon and his claims about vaccines, particularly regarding the influenza vaccine and its potential link to autism.

January 25, 2020: Maher Dedicates 'New Rules' Segment to Trump's Refusal to Leave

On January 25, 2020, Bill Maher dedicated a 'New Rules' end segment on Real Time to the subject of Trump refusing to concede any loss in the 2020 United States presidential election.

April 2020: Maher on 'Wuhan Virus' Terminology

In April 2020, Bill Maher criticized those who equated using the term "Wuhan virus" with racism, stating that scientists have historically named diseases after their place of origin.

August 7, 2020: Maher's Prediction of Violence by Trump Supporters

By August 7, 2020, Bill Maher predicted violence by armed Trump supporters attempting to keep Trump in power and criticized Democratic Party politicians for not taking the threat seriously.

August 15, 2020: Maher on Trump Not Leaving Office

In an August 15, 2020, interview with Vanity Fair, Bill Maher stated that "we've baked it into the cake that he's not going to leave," referring to Donald Trump.

September 25, 2020: Maher Criticizes Media Coverage of Trump's Peaceful Transfer of Power

On September 25, 2020, during Real Time, Bill Maher criticized the framing of a New York Times story by Michael Crowley headlined "Trump Won't Commit to Peaceful Transfer of Power", asserting that the media should have amplified the severity of Trump's threats to refuse a peaceful transition.

2020: Maher supports Chris Matthews against harassment allegations

In 2020, Bill Maher supported Chris Matthews against allegations of sexual harassment.

January 2021: Maher promotes the COVID-19 lab leak theory

In January 2021, Bill Maher promoted the COVID-19 lab leak theory.

March 2021: Maher Criticizes China's Treatment of Uyghurs

In March 2021, Bill Maher criticized China's treatment of Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. He also said the United States has "lost" to China in the "battle for the 21st century."

April 16, 2021: Maher criticizes media coverage of COVID-19

On April 16, 2021, Bill Maher criticized the media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it "panic porn" and suggesting that the population is misinformed due to biased sources.

2021: Maher Opposes NFL's 'Black National Anthem'

In 2021, Bill Maher opposed the NFL's decision to play the "Black national anthem" before games, calling it a form of segregation.

2021: Maher Urges America to Take in Afghan Refugees

In 2021, after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Bill Maher urged America to take in Afghan refugees.

March 2022: Maher defends Republicans on Florida education bill

In March 2022, Bill Maher defended Republicans for pushing the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act and rebuked liberals for their opposition.

May 2022: Maher discusses LGBT identification and transgender health care

In May 2022, Bill Maher discussed the rise in LGBT identification, suggesting it's partly due to social acceptance but also trends. He referred to puberty blockers and transgender health care for youth as 'literally experimenting on children.'

2022: Maher Blames Hollywood for Mass Shootings

In 2022, Bill Maher blamed mass shootings in part on Hollywood romanticization of gun violence in movies. He has said that despite him not liking guns he is glad that they exist saying it "levels the playing field".

2022: Maher Criticizes Disinformation Governance Board

In 2022, Bill Maher criticized the Biden administration's Disinformation Governance Board and agreed with the comparison that the board was similar to the Ministry of Truth from George Orwell's dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

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2022: Maher Criticizes Democratic Party's Diversity Practices

In 2022, Bill Maher criticized the Democratic Party for prioritizing diversity over merit, particularly in candidate selection.

September 2023: Maher criticizes the Writers Guild of America strike

In September 2023, Bill Maher criticized the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, stating that writers are not 'owed a living'. He expressed disagreement with some of the WGA's demands, particularly the mandate for a specific number of writers on each show.

2023: Maher on the 2023 Israel-Hamas War

In 2023, Condemning the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants on Israel, Maher spoke about it as Israel's 9/11, and cautioned Israel not to "lose the moral high ground" in the 2023 Israel-Hamas war. Maher expressed disappointment with former President Barack Obama over his comments on the war.