Bill Maher just did something rare—he took a flamethrower to the liberal comedy machine, calling out Saturday Night Live for pushing what he called a “zombie lie” about Trump supporters. The longtime HBO host and liberal commentator blasted SNL’s 50th anniversary special, accusing the writers of smearing millions of Americans based on tired, debunked stereotypes.
“You People Don’t Know MAGA”: Maher Unleashes on SNL Skit
On his “Club Random” podcast, Maher took direct aim at a skit from the SNL anniversary show that featured Tom Hanks reprising his “Doug” character—a white man in a MAGA hat appearing uncomfortable around Black contestants in a parody of Black Jeopardy.
“I hated it too,” Maher said. “Wearing the MAGA hat, not shaking hands with a Black person. That’s when I thought, ‘You people don’t know MAGA people.’”
🇺🇸 MAHER SHREDS TOM HANKS MAGA SKIT: “SNL IS STUCK IN 2016”
Bill Maher ripped SNL for trotting out Tom Hanks in a MAGA hat to play a cartoon racist in their 50th anniversary cringe-fest.
He called it a “zombie lie” – a dead stereotype liberal writers keep dragging around… https://t.co/n9zZ6IZFPh pic.twitter.com/2EOiqzbzZQ
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 20, 2025
This wasn’t just about bad comedy. Maher said the skit promoted a dishonest and divisive message, one that portrays all Trump supporters as racist caricatures—a line he says shouldn’t be crossed, even for a laugh.
Comedy With a Conscience
While Maher admits that comedy relies on exaggeration, he called the sketch “hysterical” in the worst way. “It’s a lie that MAGA people won’t shake hands with Black people,” he said. “That’s not exaggeration for effect—that’s just propaganda.”
Bill Maher calls out SNL for ‘zombie lie’ that Republicans are racist, warns they are ‘not helping’ https://t.co/WIiJoRT7U2 pic.twitter.com/mNyIDDhyLc
— New York Post (@nypost) May 20, 2025
By slamming SNL’s writers as out-of-touch, Maher exposed what many conservatives already believe: The elite media bubble doesn’t understand the Trump base—and doesn’t want to.
Maher didn’t defend Trump or Republicans broadly. What he did defend was truth in satire and fairness in how millions of Americans are portrayed. In today’s climate, that’s a bold move—even for someone known for crossing political lines.
The Fallout—and the Larger Picture
The skit sparked an uproar online, with conservatives accusing SNL of being lazy and hateful rather than funny. Former RFK Jr. aide Link Lauren called the segment “divisive trash,” echoing growing criticism that SNL has become a mouthpiece for DNC talking points, not a genuine platform for comedy.
Many pointed out that SNL’s portrayal of Trump supporters is outdated and out of touch—especially considering Trump’s expanding and diverse voter base across the country.
Maher’s comments reflect a deeper shift in his approach. Though he remains a liberal, he’s increasingly distancing himself from the radical left, especially on issues where the narrative doesn’t match reality. Whether it’s free speech, COVID policies, or now the demonization of Trump supporters, Maher’s evolving stance is shaking up traditional party lines.
With trust in mainstream media at an all-time low and political division boiling over, Maher’s voice may be one of the few willing to say the quiet part out loud: It’s not Trump voters who are delusional—it’s the elites who write comedy for people who already agree with them.