In a recent episode of his HBO show, comedian Bill Maher took aim at American liberals who have severed ties with family members due to their support for President Donald Trump.
Maher's critique, delivered just before Thanksgiving, targeted what he perceives as a growing trend of political intolerance, particularly among liberals.
According to WND, Maher began his closing monologue on "Real Time" by lamenting the transformation of Thanksgiving, a holiday traditionally associated with food, friends, family, football, and fun. He expressed disappointment that the holiday has become a battleground for political disagreements, with some individuals being excluded from family gatherings due to their political leanings.
"You're not even invited because you voted for the wrong person," Maher stated, highlighting a trend he believes has become increasingly prevalent among critics of Trump.
Maher, known for his liberal leanings, expressed his exhaustion with liberals who have chosen to "ghost" half of the country. He acknowledged that conservatives also engage in this behavior, but insisted it is less common. "Look, whoever's doing it, it's got to stop, because we're at a point now where politics has broken up more families than letting your wife see your phone," Maher warned.
In the 2024 election, Trump secured the popular vote with over 77 million votes, achieving a margin of victory of about 2.3 million. Despite his liberal tendencies, Maher has been vocal about the need for dialogue and understanding between the two political camps. He identified two distinct factions among liberals: the "we-need-to-keep-talking-to-people wing" and "the-go-no-contact wing."
Maher referred to a July 13 article by David Litt, a former speechwriter for ex-President Barack Obama, titled, "Is It Time to Stop Snubbing Your Right-Wing Family?" Litt concluded that liberals shunning conservative family members is "ineffective," "counterproductive," and "might just hurt the ostracizer more than the ostracizee."
Maher humorously pointed out that Litt was subsequently criticized by the "woke" wing for deviating from their policy of ostracizing those with differing views. This criticism was evident in a response article by New York Magazine's Intelligencer blog, where senior writer Sarah Jones argued that politics have always permeated familial relationships.
Jones' piece referenced a viral post by a woman who claimed her son had cut off contact due to her and her husband's support for Trump in the 2024 election. "MAGA parents read it and saw their own snowflakes, who are triggered so easily. Others saw a narcissist who could not accept the consequences of her actions," Jones wrote.
Maher also cited the example of Molly McNearney, the wife of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and co-head writer of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" McNearney admitted to severing ties with family members who voted for Trump, despite her attempts to dissuade them. Maher criticized this approach, stating, "Ultimatums dont make people rethink their politics. They make them rethink you."
Maher urged his audience to consider why 77 million Americans chose not to trust the Democratic party with power. He reminded his viewers that most people inherit their political beliefs from their upbringing, their parents, their life experiences, and their religion.
He concluded by labeling the act of "ghosting" family members over political differences as "childish" and "purely emotional." Maher encouraged his viewers to overcome their political differences and enjoy Thanksgiving with their families, emphasizing the importance of maintaining familial bonds despite political disagreements.
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