Comedian Bill Maher has responded to criticism that he's "turned" against the left, arguing that it's the left that has changed, not him.
Comedian Bill Maher has hit back at critics who accuse him of changing his views, asserting that the left has undergone a transformation, and he will continue to criticize it. During an interview on CNN with Fareed Zakaria, Maher defended his position, stating, "I haven't turned. People have said to me, 'You make fun of the left more than you used to,' and guilty, I have, because the left has changed."
Maher elaborated on his perception of the left's evolution, citing issues such as gender, race, and free speech as areas where he believes the left has deviated from traditional values. He expressed concern about the advocacy of communism, the dismantling of capitalism, and the removal of historical monuments.
"Just, you know — no. It's not that I've gotten old, it's that your ideas are stupid, OK?" Maher emphasized.
Zakaria, who has also been critical of certain progressive ideas, agreed with Maher's assessment, stating, "Common sense is common sense."
Despite his criticism of the left, Maher has maintained a critical stance toward Republicans. He has denounced Donald Trump as a "sociopath" and has criticized the Republican Party for its anti-democratic tendencies.
Maher's comments have drawn criticism from some progressives, including "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin, who accused him of "changing." However, Maher has rejected such accusations, describing himself as an "old school liberal."
In addition to his political views, Maher expressed concerns about the impact of technology on young men's communication skills, particularly their ability to interact with women.
"I think this is going to be a very big problem," Maher said. "I think young men thought it was a great thing when Tinder came along. Oh, my gosh, look, I don't even have to talk to a girl. It's all right here on my phone. I can just scroll through, like it's a menu, like I'm ordering from Grubhub."
He argued that women have not undergone similar changes, and they continue to value communication.
"You have to talk to them," Maher emphasized. "And I think men are losing that ability. I think they, you know, they just think they can send a text of an eggplant emoji and write, what's up?"
Maher concluded by emphasizing the importance of traditional courtship rituals. "You have to court. Yes, you have to do some courting. Women have not changed in that regard."
Maher's views have generated both support and criticism, highlighting the ongoing debates within the political and social landscape.
