Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher is pushing back against the lefts habit of likening President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, arguing that such rhetoric is both dumb and counterproductive while reserving his harshest condemnation for fringe activist Nick Fuentes.
Appearing on NPRs program hosted by Steve Inskeep, Maher was pressed about public figures who hold what Inskeep called recreational beliefs, views embraced more for attention than conviction, as reported by Mediaite. The exchange quickly turned to the way many liberals treat Trump supporters and conservatives as moral untouchables, a posture Maher suggested is both self-righteous and politically unhelpful.
Maher criticized progressives who refuse even basic civility toward those on the right, invoking the uproar over President Trumps controversial dinner with Fuentes. They, the, the left has this attitude like, and this is true of the Trump dinner. You are just too deplorable even to break bread with that really gets them, Maher said, before adding that he understands the emotion but still believes in engagement. And I dont blame the feeling, the feeling they have about that, you know, talk to them there, as I always say, everybodys a monster till you talk to them.
Inskeep then challenged Maher on whether there is anyone he would refuse to engage. Of course. That Fuentes prick, Maher shot back, prompting laughter from Inskeep, who clarified, Nick Fuentes. Yeah. Whos an activist or whatever.
Maher did not mince words about Fuentes, particularly on Israel and antisemitism. Hes a Nazi, hes, you know, plain, I mean, look, nowadays everybodys crazily anti-Israel, but that guy is, you now, when they say Trump is Hitler, such a dumb thing to say. First of all, counterproductive. Also, he is not Hitler! Maher insisted, before drawing a stark contrast. But this Fuentes kid? Thats Hitler.
Inskeep later referenced conservative commentator Greg Gutfeld while asking Maher if he would ever adopt a recreational belief just to stir controversy or please a crowd. Totally not. Thats exactly the opposite of me and why my audience stays with me, Maher replied, stressing that authenticity, not pandering, is central to his appeal.
Inskeep summarized Mahers approach as a commitment to be who you are and say what you think, a description Maher embraced. Yeah, the poster we put up says hes not in it for the likes and thats why they like me. Its a great irony of my career. They know, even if they dont agree, they know Im not just saying it, he said, underscoring a point many conservatives have long made: that honest debate, not hysterical Hitler analogies, is the only way to confront real extremism without cheapening the horrors of the past.
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