Bill Maher was left to explain he was making a joke after a wisecrack fell flat during his appearance on talk show The View on Tuesday (21 May). The comedian and podcast host, 68, was appearing on the show to promote his new book What This Comedian Said Will Shock You. During a spirited discussion, co-host Sunny Hostin took Maher to task for his use of the word “woke”, arguing that the term has been “weaponized and bastardized” as it has been co-opted by the political right.
Maher replied that “words migrate” just as the positions of political parties change. He added: “I mean, I think we agree about the danger of the super far right, and I can’t say it enough, I think they’re the bigger threat. “But, don’t tell me that the left hasn’t changed.
I mean, I’m old enough to remember when it was the conservatives who hated the Jews, ok?” The comment was met by silence from the audience, until Maher clarified: “That was a joke.” Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin responded: “Too dark! Too dark!” before Maher retorted: “Well, maybe it is, but it’s true.” Elsewhere in the show, Hostin asked Maher a series of pointed questions about Israel’s war in Gaza , saying: “Are you at all concerned about the innocent civilians that have been collectively punished and murdered, largely children and women? Are you at all concerned about the fact that the International Criminal Court just today issued a subpoena for Bibi Netanyahu ?” Maher responded that h.