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, television host, actor, and political commentator. He is best known for his politically satirical style and hosting HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" since 2003. Before that, he hosted "Politically Incorrect" on Comedy Central from 1993 to 2002. Maher also hosts the podcast "Club Random" (2022–present). His work consistently engages with current events and political discourse, often challenging conventional viewpoints.

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

2002: Controversial Remark and Cancellation of Politically Incorrect

In 2002, following a controversial remark about the 9/11 attacks, ABC decided against renewing Maher's contract for Politically Incorrect, leading to its cancellation. Advertisers like FedEx and Sears also pulled their ads.

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November 2004: Johnsen Sues Maher for US$9 Million

In November 2004, Coco Johnsen sued Bill Maher for US$9 million, citing "pain and suffering" due to alleged racial comments and broken promises.

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 he is a "confirmed bachelor" who never promised marriage or children.

October 19, 2007: Maher Confronts 9/11 Truthers on His Show

On October 19, 2007, Bill Maher confronted and ejected several 9/11 truthers from his show audience after they repeatedly disrupted the live broadcast. The incident garnered media attention and praise.

2013: Executive Producer for Vice and Challenge to Donald Trump

In 2013, Maher became one of the executive producers for the HBO newsmagazine series Vice. Also, Maher offered to pay $5 million to a charity if Donald Trump produced his birth certificate.

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2014: Defense of 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 count between Israelis and Palestinians. He argued that Israel is still showing restraint, and finds it ironic that people incredulous over how the Jews in World War II were led "to their slaughter" cannot understand why they are defending themselves now.

November 2015: Opposition to accepting Syrian refugees

In November 2015, Bill Maher expressed opposition to the United States accepting Syrian refugees, arguing that they have different values which are at odds with American values due to some refugees may be coming from places which are governed by Sharia law or want to be.

October 2016: Criticism of 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: Response to Hillary 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, advising her to "stay in the woods" and let someone else have a chance after she "fucked it up."

June 2017: "House nigger" controversy

In June 2017, Bill Maher came under criticism for saying in an off-the-cuff joke "I'm a house nigger" in response to guest Senator Ben Sasse on Real Time. HBO called Maher's remarks "inexcusable and tasteless" and removed the segment from future airings. Maher apologized and discussed the controversy on his show.

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2017: Maher Agrees with Sam Harris on Left's Alliance with Islamists

In 2017, Bill Maher concurred with author Sam Harris that the left had allied itself with Islamists and that liberals had failed to confront Islamic extremism, defending his criticism by citing Western values.

February 2018: Maher Describes #MeToo as McCarthyism

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

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

In August 2019, Bill Maher denounced the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, criticizing the idea that Israelis are mostly white and Palestinians are mostly brown, implying innocence and correctness of Palestinians and Jews being wrong. Maher responded to Rep. Rashida Tlaib's call to boycott his talk show.

August 2019: Economic recession comments

In August 2019, Bill Maher said an economic recession would be "worth it" if Donald Trump did not get re-elected in 2020, stating that "we can't survive another Donald Trump term."

2019: Gorski Criticizes Maher for Claims About Vaccines

In 2019, David Gorski criticized Maher for his HBO interview with Dr. Jay Gordon and Maher's claims about vaccines, including speculation about a link between vaccines and autism, which is debunked.

April 2020: Criticism of equating "Wuhan virus" with racism

In April 2020, Bill Maher criticized those who equated using the term "Wuhan virus" with racism, explaining that scientists have historically named diseases after their places of origin, citing examples like Zika and Ebola. He stated this had nothing to do with Asian Americans, and has everything to do with China.

2020: Maher Supports Chris Matthews Against Allegations of Sexual Harassment

In 2020, Bill Maher supported Chris Matthews against allegations of sexual harassment and downplayed allegations against Al Franken.

January 2021: Maher Promotes 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, Bill Maher criticized China's treatment of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, and stated that the United States has "lost" to China in the "battle for the 21st century". He compared China's "40,000 kilometers of high-speed rail" to his own country, which had none.

April 16, 2021: Maher Calls COVID-19 Coverage "Panic Porn"

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

2021: Opposition to "Black national anthem"

In 2021, Bill Maher opposed the NFL's decision to play the "Black national anthem" before games, considering it a form of segregation. He argued for one national anthem and rejected separate ceremonies and dorms based on race.

2021: Urging 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 Criticizes Democratic Party's Approach to Sex Education

In March 2022, Bill Maher criticized the Democratic Party's approach to sex education and defended Republicans for pushing the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act.

May 2022: Maher on Increase in LGBT Identification and Transgender Health Care

In May 2022, Bill Maher commented on the rise in LGBT identification, suggesting it was partly due to increased freedom and partly due to trends. He 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, Bill Maher blamed mass shootings in part due to Hollywood romanticization of gun violence in movies and stated he is glad that guns exist saying it "levels the playing field".

2022: Criticism of 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: Criticism of Democratic Party's Diversity Priorities

In 2022, Bill Maher criticized the Democratic Party for "checking boxes" in regard to candidates of different identity groups, including race, and prioritizing diversity over merit. He has also spoken out against critical race theory but supports teaching the history of racism.

September 2023: Maher Criticizes the 2023 Writers Guild of America Strike

In September 2023, Bill Maher criticized aspects of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike on his Club Random podcast, expressing disagreement with demands he viewed as unrealistic and creatively restrictive.

February 2024: Didn't Release Kanye West Interview

In February 2024, Maher decided not to release a two-hour interview with Kanye West for Club Random due to antisemitic comments by the rapper.

March 2025: Criticism of NPR

In March 2025, 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, Bill Maher criticized the lack of news coverage on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, stating that they are being "systematically killed" and rhetorically questioned why kids were not protesting this.