Bill Maher Faces Backlash Over Jokes Targeting Islam and Trump
A controversial monologue on “Real Time With Bill Maher” sparked online debate after the comedian made remarks deemed offensive by some viewers, touching on sensitive topics including Islam, former President Trump, and the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Bill Maher ignited a firestorm of criticism following his most recent appearance on HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher” on Friday, November 22, 2025. The comedian’s jokes, centered around recent visits to the White House by Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, drew immediate condemnation on social media.
Maher began by referencing the visits, quipping it was “Muslim week at the White House.” He then turned his attention to Trump’s relationship with the Crown Prince, characterizing it as a “bromance” and referencing the controversial murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, accusing the prince of “OJ-ing” him – a pointed allusion to the O.J. Simpson trial. The monologue also included commentary on Mamdani’s meeting with Trump, which Maher satirized through imitation.
The most contentious moment arrived when Maher, impersonating Trump, stated: “I don’t understand Islam. Why wait for the afterlife to enjoy the 72 virgins? That’s what Jeffrey Epsteins are for on Earth.” This remark, linking religious beliefs to the disgraced financier, proved particularly divisive.
The reaction on X (formerly Twitter) was swift and largely negative. One user expressed disillusionment, stating, “I can see why you’re not touring anymore, my man.” Another criticized Maher’s commentary, writing, “When did Bill Maher become such an insufferable dbag? Listening to him talk about Democratic Socialism and Muslim people hurts my intelligence.” A third simply dismissed the performance as “unfunny,” while a fourth user offered a blunt, expletive-laden rebuke.
However, not all responses were critical. Some viewers defended Maher’s humor, with one writing, “I’m not gonna lie Bill Maher is pretty funny. You have to watch this.” Another simply stated, “Ok that was funny Bill.”
The “Muslim Week” joke also appeared to fall flat with the live studio audience, eliciting what was described as an “awkward round of laughter.” This suggests a disconnect between Maher’s intended comedic effect and the audience’s reception.
Beyond the controversy surrounding the Islamic references, Maher also targeted Trump over a recent incident involving a female reporter. He recounted Trump telling a reporter, “Quiet, Piggy,” and subsequently highlighted the response from his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, who defended the remark as “admirable” for being “frank and open and honest.” Maher responded to this defense with a scathing retort: “Well, in that case, shut up, bitch.”
Here is a link to the clip of Trump’s statement regarding Islam: https://twitter.com/billmaher/status/YcQPDl31ca
“Real Time With Bill Maher” is scheduled to return with new episodes on HBO in January 2026. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of navigating sensitive topics in comedy and the potential for backlash in an increasingly polarized media landscape.
