Bill Maher addressed the political fallout following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, arguing that both the Left and the Right are contributing to a dangerous climate of political hostility. On his HBO show Real Time, Maher warned against the growing acceptance of violence as a response to speech and condemned the escalating rhetoric coming from both major parties. His remarks followed a week of political unrest and public mourning for Kirk, who was gunned down while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck by 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, who now faces capital murder charges. The killing of a high-profile conservative figure has sparked nationwide debate about political extremism and public safety. Maher opened his monologue calling it “an ugly week in America,” referencing both the Kirk shooting and the surrounding political climate.
In a discussion with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and journalist Tim Alberta, Maher pointed to new polling data that showed just 57% of Generation Z respondents believe there is never an excuse for violence in response to speech. He said the trend reveals a worrying shift in American political values, where younger generations increasingly view force as a legitimate form of protest.
Maher condemned efforts to frame the issue as a partisan problem, insisting that “both sides do it now.” He argued that moral grandstanding and finger-pointing have done little to resolve the broader cultural rot, stating, “The only way this starts to get better is if both sides admit [responsibility].” Maher cited inflammatory rhetoric and the breakdown of public decorum as key contributors to the nation’s political instability.
