Liberal talk show host Bill Maher has taken aim at the Left’s “woke” agenda and called out transgenders for going “too far” with efforts to “shut down debate.”
In a new interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Maher blasted “the woke point of view,” which he argues is very different from his own liberal views.
Maher said “the trans community is asking for too much” from people and reverts to cancel culture against those who don’t comply with the radical Left’s agenda.
Tapper suggested to Maher that comedians shouldn’t make jokes about transgenders.
The CNN host seemingly defended the point of view shared by a small number of “woke” comedians who claim that jokes about transgender people amount to “punching down.”
“I don’t really agree,” Maher said.
“I mean, I think the trans community is asking for too much,” Maher said.
“Again, the difference between liberal and woke.
“And it’s great we live in a time where people like that can freely live the lives they should live with all the dignity and protection of the law that we can afford them, like anybody else in society.
“I think that’s the liberal point of view.”
Maher continued by explaining how “woke” people view the matter.
“The woke point of view is something very different, like — ‘well, babies are born now and just jump ball, we don’t know what they are,’” Maher mocked.
“‘Congratulations, you have a boy. Well, let’s not be hasty. There’s a penis. That could be an indication of a male, but it’s — it’s really– we’ll find out later. And we can always get rid of it.’”
“And it’s not wrong to have this discussion,” Maher continued.
He then highlighted how “woke” people try to claim that even having the discussion is a form of hate or a phobia, a tactic that is used to shut down debate.
“They absolutely do want to shut down debate,” Maher added.
WATCH:
Bill Maher: Transgenders go way “too far” in their demands of everyone else, “they absolutely do want to shut down debate.”
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 2, 2023
TRANSCRIPT:
JAKE TAPPER: So, you know, I hear a lot about comedians being afraid to perform in the new environment, but by the same token, I mean, I see Dave Chappelle still doing very well.
BILL MAHER: Yeah.
TAPPER: There’s one thing I — I wanted to get your reaction to something because obviously Chappelle has been criticized a lot because of his — making fun of transgender– the transgender community.
This is what David Cross says, and he’s — David Cross is a pretty edgy comedian and —
MAHER: Yes, great — great comedian.
TAPPER: And he says — this is — he’s talking — he’s not talking about you certainly, and he’s not even talking about Chappelle necessarily in the quote, but he’s talking about people who make the kind of jokes making fun of transgender, he said, you’re positioning yourself as this bull**** voice of, they’re not going to cancel me. You can’t silence me.
For what? Your dumb joke about trans people? Who gives a shit? I mean, is it that important to you? Just move along and not hurt hundreds of thousands of people. It’s a choice people make.
I thought that was an interesting quote. I mean, I guess the larger criticism of Chappelle from people like David Cross is, he’s punching down, not like what Carlin did punching up.
What do you think?
MAHER: I don’t really agree. I mean, I think the trans community is asking for too much. Again, the difference between liberal and woke.
Liberals are people who I think would say — I certainly would– trans is, of course, a real thing. You know, some people are just, you know, I don’t — I’m — they probably don’t like this terminology, but born in the wrong body, whatever the — the equipment doesn’t match how you feel.
Absolutely. And it’s great we live in a time where people like that can freely live the lives they should live with all the dignity and protection of the law that we can afford them, like anybody else in society. I think that’s the liberal point of view.
The woke point of view is something very different, like — well, babies are born now and just jump ball, we don’t know what they are.
Congratulations, you have a boy. Well, let’s not be hasty. There’s a penis. That could be an indication of a male, but it’s — it’s really– we’ll find out later. And we can always get rid of it.
And it’s not wrong to have this discussion. This is some — something that’s very new. It’s not to shut it — to shut down debate with these words like phobia.
You’re phobic and you hate — we don’t hate. It’s not hate. It’s not phobic. We’re not afraid.
We’re just discussing something very new that involves children and what — these interventions you’re making have repercussions for the entire rest of their lives and they’re about their health, which I think should come first.
TAPPER: So I think if a trans activist were here right now, they might say, we’re not afraid of having discussions and debate, but you’re talking about these issues at a time when states like Idaho and Florida and others are talking about banning these procedures, regardless of what the kid and the parents and the doctor want.
MAHER: Well, that’s —
TAPPER: And that that’s, like, a bigger issue than the term pregnant people.
MAHER: Well, that’s probably a backlash that went too far.
TAPPER: You think that’s —
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: Yeah.
MAHER: Yeah. I think that is, to — to completely ban it. But I also — I also don’t agree with what you just said. They absolutely do want to shut down debate.
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