Liberal Comedian Bill Maher Takes Aim at MSNBC’s Ex-Conservatives
During an episode of his “Club Random” podcast, liberal comedian Bill Maher took a swipe at MSNBC’s roster of ex-conservatives, suggesting that they changed their political views for the “paycheck.”
Maher and former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., discussed the phenomenon of Republicans flipping their political stance after joining MSNBC, like former Congressman Joe Scarborough. Maher praised Scarborough but expressed his disapproval of others who adopt a radically different political position after joining the network.
“I like Joe. You know, my problem with people who take media jobs is that, you know, they start out very often on MSNBC, this happens – they start out as the ‘conservative.’ Of course, on MSNBC, you can be only so conservative. They don’t really have, like, your type that wouldn’t be on it, but they have the Nicolle Wallaces, the people – Michael Steele, the people, they usually – they hate Trump… It’s the ‘anybody but Trump’ conservatives,” Maher said.
Maher went on to say that he, too, is an “anybody but Trump” guy, but he believes it doesn’t represent the country or the party, “so it’s bulls—.” He worried that people like Nicolle Wallace, a former communications aide for George W. Bush, become increasingly aligned with the Democratic Party as they work at MSNBC and receive a large paycheck.
Gaetz agreed, suggesting that people become enslaved by their audience and adjust their views to appease them in order to get better ratings. He pointed out the “realignment” in politics, where Republicans and Democrats have flipped on important issues such as war, free speech, and free trade.
Maher, however, panned the left for becoming the “stick-up-their-a– party” in recent years, saying they used to get laughs because they were the moral majority, but are now not as funny. He also lamented the fact that the political left has become more extreme and is now accusing others of being “stick-in-their-ear” for being conservative.