Bill Maher took a strong stance against what he termed ‘poser’ celebrities in Hollywood, criticizing their display of ‘Golden Globes activism’ after numerous A-list stars donned anti-ICE pins at the awards show earlier this month.
The comedian didn’t hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with the mainstream media’s response to his critique of celebrities sporting these pins after ICE agent Jonathan Ross was involved in the tragic shooting of Renee Good.
During his ‘New Rules’ segment on HBO’s Real Time, Maher reiterated his remarks from the event’s red carpet: “The incident was horrific and avoidable, but I don’t need to wear a pin to express that sentiment,” he stated.
He humorously addressed the backlash, quipping that even with time to reconsider, he would stand by his original comment, which was, “ICE agents acting like thugs is the issue, not whether or not I wear a pin.”
Maher shared that many celebrities and friends reached out with supportive messages, backing his statements, and emphasized his indifference to online scrutiny of his words.
He also read headlines accusing him of ‘laughing at’ or ‘mocking’ what was termed ‘Golden Globes activism’ by the media, due to his decision to forgo the symbolic pin.
‘You mean the activism of fixing a f***ing pin to my suit? I’m sorry, it clashed with my Keffiyeh,’ he cracked, adding a photoshopped image of himself wearing the Palestinian scarf.
Maher then labeled celebrities ‘f***ing posers’ for jumping from cause to cause and wearing pins for all of them, arguing that doing so does nothing to solve any of the problems they aim to fix.
Bill Maher took one more shot at ‘poser’ Hollywood celebrities for engaging in ‘Golden Globes activism’ wearing anti-ICE pins at the ceremony
The comedian skewered the mainstream media reaction to his questioning of entertainers who did wear a pin in the wake of the shooting death of Renee Good
‘Get out of here with your virtue-signaling body ornaments. They’re just crucifixes for liberals, because every time I see one, I think “Jesus Christ”,’ he quipped.
He then pivoted to asking celebrities to simply stay out of politics, arguing that it was hurting the causes liberal Hollywood claims to care about.
‘Its having the opposite effect of what you want. Every big name in showbusiness came out for Kamala Harris… and she lost every swing state,’ he pointed out.
Maher noted that the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift and George Clooney had all endorsed Harris, often making people less excited about the Democrat candidate.
‘Read the room, Democrats! Celebrities aren’t helping and why would they? In a country where the big issue now is affordability, outside of, I don’t know, [Bruce] Springsteen and a few others, celebrities don’t strike people as relatable or in touch,’ he said to applause.
He noted various examples of celebrity behavior, from outlandish baby names to flying private and having multiple houses to buying ‘castles, towns and islands.’
‘Insulated divas whose talents allow them to pig out on the finer things in life, because we all need something to aspire to,’ he described them as.
Maher then pointed out that being talented is not the same as ‘knowing things’ and doesn’t allow them the credibility to comment on politics.
He read out headlines that portrayed him as ‘laughing at’ or ‘mocking’ what the media called ‘Golden Globes activism’ by not wearing the decal
‘You mean the activism of fixing a f***ing pin to my suit? I’m sorry, it clashed with my Keffiyeh,’ he cracked, adding a photoshopped image of himself wearing the headdress
He reignited his feud with fellow comic Dave Chappelle, who in his last special said ‘F*** Bill Maher’ and called Maher’s opinions: ‘Smug, cracker-a** commentary.’
They were in disagreement over Chappelle’s view that it was easier to speak freely in Saudi Arabia than in America.
‘I was right, what he said was stupid. America has many problems, including free speech issues on both left in right. But we’re real different than Saudi Arabia and if you don’t believe me, try opening a lesbian art gallery there.’
Maher finally pivoted to the Democrat Party and told them to ditch their embrace of celebrity.
‘Democrats, it’s great you have all the big celebs but people see them as an arm of the Democratic Party, which they already see as lacking common sense.’
Once more, he addressed Hollywood, saying: ‘I know it’s important to you that you’re making a difference. You are, it’s making independents vote Republican.’
Multiple celebrities, including Wicked stars Ariana Grande, Mark Ruffalo and Natasha Lyonne, along with Hacks actress Jean Smart, wore the anti-ICE pins to the awards show.
The host Wanda Sykes – who used one of her speeches at the Los Angeles show to mock Maher – also donned the badge on the lapel of her glittery silver suit.
The host Wanda Sykes (pictured) – who used one of her speeches at the Los Angeles show to mock Maher – also donned the badge on the lapel of her glittery silver suit
Maher reignited his feud with fellow comic Dave Chappelle, who in his last special said ‘F*** Bill Maher’ and called Maher’s opinions: ‘Smug, cracker-a** commentary’
She roasted Maher at the show by saying he should ‘try less’. Maher didn’t join in the laughter, and he initially looked puzzled before displaying a stony-faced expression.
Sykes told Variety she wore the pin ‘for the mother who was murdered by an ICE agent’ when a reporter asked her about the accessory.
‘I know people were out marching and all today. And we need to speak up,’ the comedian added.
‘We need to be out there and shut this rogue government down,’ Sykes said, ‘because it’s just awful what they’re doing to people.’
Good, 37, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan ‘Jon’ Ross in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 7.
