Bill Maher, a liberal comedian, has recently criticized his political allies for their tendency to sever familial ties over political disagreements.
During a recent episode of his "Club Random" podcast, Maher and fellow comedian Jay Leno reflected on the late Sammy Davis Jr.'s controversial embrace of President Richard Nixon, an act that earned him the label of "traitor" among Hollywood's liberal elite.
According to Fox News, Maher drew parallels between Davis Jr.'s experience and the current political climate, where bipartisan friendships are often frowned upon. "It's so funny you mention that because, like today, we live in this time when you're not allowed to have friends from the other side or cross lines politically," Maher said. He went on to express his disdain for the left's intolerance, saying, "This is what I f---ing hate about the left. And they're not going to get me over to the Trump side, which they think they will sometimes, but just the idea that, you know, cut your family off for Thanksgiving if they voted for the wrong guy. F--- off, you f---s.' And Sammy when he hugged Nixon, he was ostracized by the left a lot. That was an early harbinger of that."
Maher's criticism of his political side is not a new development. Last month, on his HBO show "Real Time," he criticized Dr. Amanda Calhoun, Yale University's chief psychiatry resident, for her controversial advice. Dr. Calhoun had suggested on MSNBC's Joy Reid show that it was acceptable to cut off family members who voted for Trump and avoid spending the holidays with them.
Maher responded to this advice with a biting critique, saying, "Oh, how pure. It's like not letting certain people sit with you on the bus. Think about that, a mental health professional advising people to isolate during the holidays. And don't forget to drink too much and put on weight."
Maher's comments underscore the importance of dialogue and understanding in healing the nation's political divide. He concluded by saying, "You know who I really wouldn't want to have Thanksgiving dinner with? This overly educated i.e. extremely stupid, Ivory Tower academic, but I would because if we ever want this nation to heal, this is what we have to do, force ourselves to reach out and find out why someone feels the way they do, and make the choices they make without prejudging them a monster. And they must do the same for you."
Login