Bill Maher blasts Hasan Minhaj over fabricated stand-up stories
By Matt Moore
Bill Maher became the latest to take exception with fellow late-night TV personality Hasan Minhaj. The Real Time host pointed to the controversy surrounding Minhaj as another example of how truth seems to no longer matter in America.
A recent New Yorker profile on Minhaj revealed that the stand-up and former Daily Show correspondent fabricated stories of racism in his routine. Minhaj claimed that his prom date’s family refused to take pictures of him due to his ethnicity. He also claimed he was assaulted by a police officer in a case of racial profiling.
Other stories cited in the New Yorker include Minhaj saying his daughter was hospitalized after an anthrax exposure and discovering an FBI informant in his mosque. The comedian admitted these stories were fabricated in order to convey “emotional truths.”
Bill Maher took exception to Minhaj’s explanation. As a stand-up comedian himself, Maher is well aware of how hyperbole and exaggeration go into a set. But when real people are involved or the comedy is meant to comment on social issues, Maher sounds less forgiving.
Bill Maher rips Hasan Minhaj for ignoring the truth
Maher’s “New Rule” segment on October 6 argued that America is becoming a place “where truth no longer matters.” He cited his own prediction that Donald Trump wouldn’t accept the results of the 2020 election and instead go with his “gut feeling” over facts.
“If you want to speak truth to power, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you have to include the truth,” Maher said. The Real Time host went on to suggest Minhaj’s actions were reflective of an entire generation.
“I think the younger generations have a real problem with wanting to build their identity around being a victim,” he said. “They want to have racism to fight, not fight racism.”
Maher went even further, comparing Minhaj’s fabricated stand-up stories to Donald Trump’s infamous comments about 9/11. The former president once claimed he saw thousands of Muslims celebrating the terrorist attacks. For Maher, Minhaj’s choice to make up stories of racism for effect was no different.