In a recent podcast interview, comedian and political commentator Bill Maher engaged in a heated exchange with former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) over the contentious issue of the 2020 election results and the Republican Party's efforts to overturn them.
The conversation, which also touched on President Trump's inauguration and the tumultuous transition of power to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, was released on Sunday.
According to Mediaite, Maher drew a distinction between Democrats labeling Trump as an "illegitimate President" and the Republican Party's attempts to reverse the 2020 election outcome. This included the January 6 incident where some Republicans refused to certify the election results, leading to widespread rioting and violence.
The debate escalated when Gaetz challenged Maher's assertion of Republican hypocrisy, particularly those who now take issue with Democrats referring to Trump as an "illegitimate president." Gaetz retorted, "If you're talking about the use of force to achieve your political goals, I think it's somewhat on topic."
Maher responded, "And it's not like the left doesn't do a version. I mean, they should not have been bitching about Trump is not a legitimate President. That was wrong. I agree. It's very different than actually trying to stay in power. We just had January 6. It went off smoothly without a hitch. Places, everyone, places. Okay, The rehearsal went great, and now we do it and we go home. That's not would have happened if you guys had lost. And you know that that is asymmetry you have to address."
Gaetz, undeterred, continued to challenge Maher's viewpoint. "Okay. Let me address it. You're right. This past week we had a wonderful January 6, the last time we had a Republican president elected and Democrats did not object to the electors do you know the last time that was?"
Maher, growing increasingly frustrated, retorted, "This is the kind of bullshit"
Gaetz interjected, "Well, look, it was 1988. It was 1988. The last time they didnt object to a vote. They objected to George W Bush winning Ohio."
Maher countered, "Objecting is different than calling the Justice Department and pressuring them to do things that even his own Justice Department wouldnt do. Its different than calling the guy in Georgia and saying, Find me 11,000 votes. Its different than going to court with all these ridiculous cases that were left out of every courtroom. Its different than actually sending fake electors. Dont give me bullshit and well be friends! Bullshit me? No, well still be friends. But then Ill think youre a hack instead of someone who could actually have an honest conversation and admit this asymmetry exists."
Gaetz responded, "I dont believe its asymmetrical at all. When you look at the way the Democratic Party used an authoritarian bum rush to get Joe Biden out of the race and replace him with with Harris, what was it? Was that was that the great sacrifice to the virtue of democracy and the great rejection of authoritarianism? Was swapping her out for him like in some Mississippi square dance?"
Maher concluded the discussion by saying, "Im just going to end this part of our discussion by saying, you know, I think youre just looking in your eye, talking to you, not the media guy I saw. Youre a lot brighter than I thought you were."
This exchange underscores the ongoing tension and division within American politics, particularly regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. Despite the heated debate, both Maher and Gaetz demonstrated a willingness to engage in open dialogue, a critical component of a functioning democracy.
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