“Real Time” host Bill Maher was quick to address the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner shooting during his Friday show, condemning those who expressed disappointment that President Donald Trump was not killed.
The Washington D.C., shooting, which reportedly targeted Trump administration officials, has intensified concerns over the dangerous repercussions of charged political rhetoric.
“Let’s get the ugly news about the political violence out of the way first,” Maher said during Friday’s episode of his HBO show.
“If you’re one of these people – and there’s many in this country – who watched that and was disappointed the president wasn’t killed… you’re not a good person. Or a smart person.”
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The left-leaning comedian did not pull back his criticisms of Trump but argued the president is not as extreme as some critics say.
“Certainly, Trump has often not been good, decent or kind,” Maher said. “But he’s not Hitler!”
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Maher, a vocal Trump critic, took a moment to defend the president against Hitler accusations, warning of the fatal risks of such labels.
“This is why I was against this ‘He’s Hitler’ bulls—t,” Maher asserted.
“If you really believe that he is a Hitler McPedophile, then you kind of have to kill him. That’s the mentality they have.”
The comedian went on to warn of the dangers of charged political rhetoric that he argued has normalized into the mainstream.
“I remember when the shoe was on the other foot” and liberals were disturbed about violent rhetoric, he said. “The shoe is on the other foot now. I mean it’s on both feet.”
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Maher also denounced individuals who believe Trump’s death would resolve political tensions, arguing that the president’s political failure is already upon him.
“I don’t think you’re a good person, I wouldn’t want to be the person who thinks that way. Also, it’s just not smart,” Maher asserted.
“You think that’s gonna solve the problem?… MAGA’s not gonna die!”
“We tried impeaching, that didn’t work. We tried going to the courts, that didn’t work. The only way this actually works: it’s happening. His popularity is at the lowest level it is, even among his core supporters.”