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 shows *Real Time with Bill Maher* (HBO) and *Politically Incorrect* (Comedy Central/ABC), where he delivers his often controversial and satirical takes on current events and political issues. In 2022, he expanded his reach by launching the podcast *Club Random*.

Sections (4)

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

June 16, 2002: Cancellation of Politically Incorrect

On June 16, 2002, Bill Maher's show, "Politically Incorrect", was canceled.

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November 2004: Coco Johnsen sues Maher

In November 2004, Coco Johnsen sued Bill Maher for US$9 million for "pain and suffering" due to alleged "insulting, humiliating and degrading racial comments." She alleged Maher promised to marry her, father her children, support her financially, and buy a house in Beverly Hills.

November 23, 2004: Maher responds 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 [Johnsen] or to have children with her." His filing said that Johnsen "launched a campaign to embarrass, humiliate, and extort ridiculous sums of money from Bill Maher."

May 2, 2005: Johnsen's lawsuit dismissed

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

October 19, 2007: Maher confronts 9/11 truthers

On October 19, 2007, Bill Maher confronted and ejected 9/11 truthers from his show audience after they repeatedly disrupted the live broadcast. This incident garnered media attention and praise from Fox News talk show host John Gibson.

2008: Maher emphasizes diet and exercise for health

In 2008, Bill Maher expressed his view that poor diet and lack of exercise are significant contributors to illness, suggesting that medicine is not always the most appropriate solution. He criticized the pharmaceutical and health care industries for profiting from unhealthy food consumption.

2008: Religulous Film Release

In 2008, Maher's documentary film "Religulous", which critiques religion, was released.

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

On June 7, 2013, 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 using nuclear weapons as his tipping point, while also expressing concerns about government overreach.

2013: Executive Producer for Vice and Donald Trump Challenge

In 2013, Maher became an executive producer for the HBO newsmagazine series "Vice". Also in 2013, he offered $5 million to charity if Donald Trump produced his birth certificate.

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2014: Defense of Israel's Military Actions

During the 2014 Gaza war, Maher defended Israel's military actions against Palestinians amid criticism over civilian deaths and casualty counts, arguing Israel was showing restraint, which sparked online backlash.

2014: "Flip a District" Contest

In 2014, Maher conducted a "Flip a District" contest on his HBO show, aiming to oust a Republican Representative from Minnesota, but he failed.

November 2015: Opposition to Accepting Syrian Refugees

In November 2015, Maher voiced his opposition to the United States accepting Syrian refugees, citing concerns about differing values and potential risks associated with Sharia law.

2015: Criticism of Obama's Visit to Saudi Arabia

In 2015, Maher criticized Barack Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia, stating that the U.S. should stop respecting their medieval values under the guise of cultural sensitivity.

October 2016: Criticism of Julian Assange

In October 2016, Maher criticized WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for publishing leaks from the DNC's emails, accusing him of hating Hillary Clinton.

March 31, 2017: Response to Clinton's Defeat

On March 31, 2017, Maher responded to suggestions that Hillary Clinton would end her low profile and speak out, telling her to "stay in the woods" following her election defeat.

June 2017: "House Nigger" Controversy

In June 2017, Maher received criticism for making a racially insensitive joke on Real Time, saying "I'm a house nigger", leading to calls for his firing from HBO and subsequent apologies and discussions on the show.

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2017: Maher discusses Western values and Islam

In 2017, Maher defended his criticism of Islam, Sharia law, and Muslim culture by emphasizing his belief in Western values such as separation of church and state, gender equality, and free speech. He also agreed with Sam Harris that the left has allied itself with Islamists and has failed to stand up to Islamic extremism.

February 2018: Maher criticizes the #MeToo movement

In February 2018, Bill Maher criticized the #MeToo movement, describing it as McCarthyism.

April 13, 2018: Prediction of Trump's refusal to concede election

On April 13, 2018, Bill Maher predicted that Donald Trump would refuse to concede any loss in the 2020 United States presidential election during one of the 20 different editions of Real Time with Bill Maher broadcast between April 13, 2018, and August 7, 2020.

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March 14, 2019: Highlighting Trump's Assertions

On March 14, 2019, Maher highlighted Trump's assertion that he had the support of the police, military, and bikers, citing it as evidence that Trump would seek to remain in office by force.

August 2019: Denouncement of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement

In August 2019, Maher denounced the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, calling it "very shallow thinking". He also responded to Rep. Rashida Tlaib's call to boycott his talk show.

August 2019: Recession 'Worth It' if Trump Loses

In August 2019, Maher said an economic recession would be "worth it" if Donald Trump did not get re-elected in 2020.

2019: Maher criticized for claims about vaccines

In 2019, Bill Maher faced criticism for his HBO interview with doctor Jay Gordon and his claims about vaccines, including speculation about a link between vaccines and autism, which is debunked by consensus science. Surgical Oncologist David Gorski also criticized Maher for these claims.

January 25, 2020: 'New Rules' segment on Trump refusing to leave

On January 25, 2020, Maher dedicated a 'New Rules' end segment to the subject of Trump's potential refusal to concede any loss in the 2020 United States presidential election.

April 2020: Defense of the term "Wuhan virus"

In April 2020, Maher defended the use of the term "Wuhan virus," stating that scientists have historically named diseases after their place of origin and that it has nothing to do with Asian Americans, but everything to do with China.

August 7, 2020: Predictions about the 2020 election

Leading up to August 7, 2020, during several press interviews and over the course of 20 different editions of Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher predicted that Trump would refuse to concede any loss in the 2020 United States presidential election.

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August 15, 2020: Remarks on Trump's Departure

In an August 15, 2020, interview with Vanity Fair, Maher stated that it was inevitable that Trump would not leave office willingly.

September 25, 2020: Criticism of Media Coverage

On September 25, 2020, during Real Time, Maher criticized the framing of a New York Times story regarding Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, asserting that the media should have amplified the severity of the threats.

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2020: Maher supports Chris Matthews

In 2020, Bill Maher supported Chris Matthews against allegations of sexual harassment. Maher has also downplayed the sexual harassment allegations against former senator Al Franken.

2020: Comments on Trump's Re-election

In 2020, Maher expressed that an economic recession would be "worth it" if it meant Donald Trump wouldn't be re-elected.

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

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

March 2021: Criticism of China's Treatment of Uyghurs

In March 2021, Maher criticized China's treatment of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, asserting that the United States has lost to China in the battle for the 21st century due to its focus on a "never-ending woke competition".

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

On April 16, 2021, Bill Maher criticized media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, labeling it as "panic porn" and arguing that biased sources of medical information have led to a misinformed population.

2021: Opposition to the 'Black national anthem'

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

March 2022: Maher rebukes liberals

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

May 2022: Maher comments on LGBT identification

In May 2022, Bill Maher commented on the rise of LGBT identification, suggesting that it is partly due to increased freedom to express identity but also because it is trendy. Maher also criticized puberty blockers and other transgender health care for trans youth, referring to it as "literally experimenting on children".

2022: Blaming Hollywood for Mass Shootings

In 2022, Maher blamed mass shootings in part on Hollywood's romanticization of gun violence in movies.

2022: Criticism of Biden's Disinformation Governance Board

In 2022, Maher criticized the Biden administration's Disinformation Governance Board and likened it to the Ministry of Truth from George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

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2022: Criticism of the Democratic Party's diversity focus

In 2022, Maher criticized the Democratic Party for prioritizing diversity over merit when selecting candidates, also speaking out against critical race theory but supporting teaching the history of racism.

September 2023: Maher criticizes WGA strike demands

In September 2023, Bill Maher criticized the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike on his Club Random podcast, calling some of the demands "kooky". Maher stated he supported the strike but also mentioned that there are some things that the writers are demanding that he doesn't agree with, in particular the WGA proposal of having a mandate to have a particular set number of writers on each show.

February 2024: Unreleased Kanye West Interview

In February 2024, Maher decided not to release an interview with Kanye West for "Club Random" due to antisemitic comments.

March 2025: Criticism of NPR and Call for Defunding

In March 2025, after NPR's CEO defended the network's journalism, Bill Maher criticized NPR as "crazy far-left" and called for defunding public media outlets.

September 2025: Criticism of Lack of News Coverage on Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

In September 2025, Maher criticized the lack of news coverage on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, stating that they are being "systematically killed".