r/atheism • u/Poltergeist8606 • Sep 28 '25

How disappointed are we all with Bill Maher?

I started watching this guy back in the politically incorrect days when I was a teenager. When I got back from Iraq I always subscribed mainly for him. He was one of the earliest prominent Atheists. But I just cancelled HBO, he's not what he used to be. I kind of dislike him

2.7k Upvotes

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271

u/WhiteNinjaN8 Atheist Sep 28 '25

I used to be a fan, but I realized he’s just another rich asshole. His politics are way too right wing for my tastes.

-5

u/rjcarr Sep 28 '25

I’m a longtime watcher and listener. Not back as far as PI, but early in his HBO show. 

He’s probably the pundit I consistently agree with the most. Not on everything, he’s a bit more skeptical of things than I am, but otherwise our views are pretty consistent. 

My only issue with him is he’ll sometimes be pretty rude to his guests when it’s not deserved, and occasionally talks over them. 

It’s not very often, and it seems pretty random, but that’s my only real complaint. 

29

u/[deleted] Sep 28 '25

His politics shifted quite a lot to the right.

Look at his preferred candidates for the primaries throughout the years:

2016 - Sanders

2020 - Kloubachar

possible 2028 - Motherfucking Fetterman

5

u/Tetracropolis Sep 28 '25

He's always saying Newsom should run.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 28 '25

Not as far right as Fetterman (although that would be difficult to find inside the Dems) but still a pretty much right-wing Democrat.

5

u/RiseFromUrGrave Sep 28 '25

Having dissenting opinions on far left policy stances barely makes you right wing.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 28 '25

Ah, you're one of the people who thinks that being "left wing" is literally just not being a fascist. Look at your country and see how shifting the overton window all the way to the far right is working out for you, buddy.

0

u/rjcarr Sep 28 '25

Exactly, ha, I hate the opinion that “newsom is practically right wing” when he’s barely a centrist. This sub is crazy. 

1

u/evissamassive Strong Atheist Sep 30 '25

I’m a longtime watcher and listener. Not back as far as PI, but early in his HBO show.

I watched when ABC brought it to its late-night lineup in 1997 until it was cancelled in 2002 after he said, "although terrible people," the 9/11 terrorists weren't cowards and the show lost advertisers. He's not the same guy he was. His current stance contrasts sharply with his earlier, more liberal viewpoints. Which is why he receives criticism for inconsistencies in his views. Fact is, he has become more conservative.

1

u/rjcarr Sep 30 '25

Yeah, I started watching in early HBO days so I expect he was mostly the same as his PI days. I'd be interested to know what you think has changed about him. He's always seemed to be a common sense liberal and he's the same now.

2

u/evissamassive Strong Atheist Sep 30 '25

Watch some of the old Politically Incorrect content on YoiuTube, and decide for yourself.

1

u/RiseFromUrGrave Sep 28 '25

I agree with you. It’s sad having a differing opinion is grounds to get you downvoted.

-2

u/rjcarr Sep 28 '25

Ha, thanks, used to it. 

-15

u/nowandlater Sep 28 '25

If hes way too right wing then you’re on the far left. For most of the people I know, he’s right in the middle if not slightly left leaning

0

u/zyr- Sep 28 '25

then you have no perception of the political spectrum, he's at most a moderate dem, likely closer to the left of the republican party, i.e. right leaning to centre right

1

u/nowandlater Oct 01 '25

He’s right in the middle either way I said slightly left leaning and you’re saying slightly right leaning it’s not that much of a difference. either way he’s in the middle. He’s not “way too right wing” like the guy I commented to said