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Bill Maher Uses Racial Slur on ‘Real Time’ Bill Maher Uses Racial Slur on ‘Real Time’
(about 4 hours later)
The HBO late-night host Bill Maher drew quick and widespread condemnation on Friday night for using a racial epithet in an interview with Senator Ben Sasse, Republican of Nebraska.The HBO late-night host Bill Maher drew quick and widespread condemnation on Friday night for using a racial epithet in an interview with Senator Ben Sasse, Republican of Nebraska.
Shortly after 10 p.m., Mr. Maher, the comedian and host of HBO’s “Real Time,” was talking to Mr. Sasse on his program about the boundaries between adolescence and maturity, and how adults in California still dress up for Halloween.Shortly after 10 p.m., Mr. Maher, the comedian and host of HBO’s “Real Time,” was talking to Mr. Sasse on his program about the boundaries between adolescence and maturity, and how adults in California still dress up for Halloween.
When Mr. Sasse said this did not happen in his state, Mr. Maher said, “I’ve got to get to Nebraska more.”When Mr. Sasse said this did not happen in his state, Mr. Maher said, “I’ve got to get to Nebraska more.”
Mr. Sasse replied: “You’re welcome. We’d love to have you work in the fields with us.”Mr. Sasse replied: “You’re welcome. We’d love to have you work in the fields with us.”
Mr. Maher said: “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house nigger. No, it’s a joke.”Mr. Maher said: “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house nigger. No, it’s a joke.”
Some audience members were heard to groan while others clapped. Neither Mr. Maher nor Mr. Sasse addressed the comments further, and the conversation moved to other subjects.Some audience members were heard to groan while others clapped. Neither Mr. Maher nor Mr. Sasse addressed the comments further, and the conversation moved to other subjects.
The epithet was not bleeped out when the episode was rebroadcast at midnight.The epithet was not bleeped out when the episode was rebroadcast at midnight.
On social media, Mr. Maher’s remarks were criticized by viewers across the political spectrum.On social media, Mr. Maher’s remarks were criticized by viewers across the political spectrum.
DeRay Mckesson, a prominent activist for the Black Lives Matter movement, wrote on his Twitter account: “But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable.”DeRay Mckesson, a prominent activist for the Black Lives Matter movement, wrote on his Twitter account: “But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable.”
Jack Posobiec, an alt-right activist and commentator, wrote on Twitter, “Racist Bill Maher must be fired and @BenSasse must be held accountable for his endorsement of the n-word.”Jack Posobiec, an alt-right activist and commentator, wrote on Twitter, “Racist Bill Maher must be fired and @BenSasse must be held accountable for his endorsement of the n-word.”
Other commenters on social media posted tweets asking why Mr. Sasse did not immediately take issue with Mr. Maher’s remarks.Other commenters on social media posted tweets asking why Mr. Sasse did not immediately take issue with Mr. Maher’s remarks.
Mr. Maher, who is in his 15th season of hosting “Real Time,” has been criticized for making comments on his show and in his comedy act that have been perceived as Islamophobic, and for giving a platform to controversial figures like the incendiary right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos.Mr. Maher, who is in his 15th season of hosting “Real Time,” has been criticized for making comments on his show and in his comedy act that have been perceived as Islamophobic, and for giving a platform to controversial figures like the incendiary right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos.
A press representative for HBO on Friday night referred questions to Mr. Maher’s personal publicists, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.A press representative for HBO on Friday night referred questions to Mr. Maher’s personal publicists, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On his Twitter account, Mr. Sasse quoted a tweet from another user who praised his conversation with Mr. Maher, adding his own comment: “your tweet was too long (but then you just cheated by taking a picture of the overage words. Crafty)” On his Twitter account Saturday, Mr. Sasse posted “reflections” on the controversy, including: “I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.”
The senator said he wished he had interjected:
He concluded: “The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don’t use it.”