NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Comedian Bill Maher faced a challenging task on his 'Real Time' show on Friday, October 13, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Calling it a "difficult week," Maher handled the tough topics deftly. Finding humor in references to time-tested icons like Donald Trump, he maintained the focus on any solutions that might have been learned from his guests.
During his panel discussion, Maher was upfront about where his loyalties lie, stating that he believed Israel was the moral victor in this battle.
The Harvard College demonstrations in support of the Palestinians, in particular, incensed Maher.
Maher compared Harvard students downplaying the Israeli slaughter committed by Hamas to Donald Trump's claim that there were "very fine people on both sides" of a white supremacist riot.
Bill Maher compares Harvard students to Donald Trump
In 2017, when asked about the white nationalist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia, that claimed the life of a counterprotester, Heather Heyer, Trump responded that there were good people in both groups. That comment continues to rank among his most infamous ones during his presidency, according to Daily Mail.
"The college kids in America went full Trump, and said there's very fine people on both sides," Maher said, rebuking the Harvard students.
Referring to the October 7 carnage in Israel, when more than 1,300 people died, and the ensuing strikes on Gaza claimed another 1,900 lives, the late night comedian called it "a difficult week, a very depressing week."
On 'Real Time', Maher noted that a movement was already underway, headed by billionaire investor Bill Ackman, to "blacklist" Harvard students from potential employment for their act of signing a pro-Palestine petition.
The statement read, "We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence."
Maher then highlighted the liberties enjoyed by Americans but prohibited in Gaza, including the freedom of expression, the freedom of religion, and the freedom to elect your own political figures.
The late-night comedian further chuckled, "A lot of the students are still standing by their position to support the war criminals, but they strenuously object to the word 'blacklist'."
He continued, to laugh, and said that it was disrespectful and absurd for the kids to pin the blame of the Hamas attack on Israel.
Maher then discussed the Democratic Socialists of America, who attended a pro-Palestine march in New York City the day following the terrorist attack and claimed that Israel's policies of "oppression" and "apartheid" were to blame for the murder and kidnapping.
What did Harvard management say in response to students' public letter?
According to Harvard President Claudine Gay, the letter does not represent the university's administration or the entire student body.
Gay issued another statement on October 13 stating that the institution supports free speech, including "views that many of us find objectionable, even outrageous," while rejecting terrorism, bigotry, and harassment based on people's beliefs.
Gay wrote, "We do not punish or sanction people for expressing objectionable or outrageous views."
"But that is a far cry from endorsing them. It's in the exercise of our freedom to speak that we reveal our characters and we reveal the character of our institution," she added.
Internet supports Bill Maher's remarks as '1000 percent right'
Following Maher's comment on the Harvard students, many people took to X (formerly Twitter) to support the comedian.
One X user agreed and wrote, "Tonight’s Show was one of the best of the last few years, definitely the best of the season. I had almost stopped watching because of some of the weak guests."
Another user exclaimed, "I could never imagine a world where I would find myself agreeing with this guy so much!"
"1000 percent right on this!!!!" agreed another X user.
While one said, "At last, some sanity," another user hailed the comedian, "Bill... you're awesome."
One explained, "Bill you are right. "From the river to the sea" - means no Israel. And that guy full of B.S-that's what they mean. Many Palestinians think occupation is also 48 borders. They were offered state few times they refused."
