Maher calls Democrat politicians ‘cowards,’ referencing take on the Sept. 11 attack that got his old show canceled

Maher Calls Democrat Politicians Cowards in 9/11 Remarks

Provpnadvice.com – Maher calls Democrat politicians cowards while revisiting a controversy that helped end his former ABC program, Politically Incorrect. On a recent episode of HBO’s Real Time, Bill Maher said he still believes the Sept. 11 hijackers should not have been described as cowards, despite condemning their actions and ideology.

Maher’s comments recalled the intense backlash he faced after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. His earlier remarks became a national controversy and contributed to the cancellation of Politically Incorrect.

“I know a guy whose show got canceled just for saying the terrorists weren’t cowards. And that guy was right. They weren’t cowards, but I’ll tell you who is: Democratic party politicians.”

Maher argued in 2001 that people prepared to fly planes into buildings could not accurately be characterized as cowardly. At the same time, he criticized the United States’ use of long-range military strikes.

“We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That’s cowardly,” Maher said in 2001.

He later apologized and said he had not intended to criticize American military personnel. Maher said his criticism was aimed at government leaders, elected officials and supporters of a broad missile-defense strategy that he believed did not address the threat posed by terrorism.

Maher’s Gaza and Israel Criticism

In his more recent discussion, Maher connected his criticism of Democrats to what he called moral confusion over Gaza and Israel’s war with Hamas. He said Gaza was not part of the original state of Israel, was captured during a war launched against Israel and was later returned in what he described as a peace gesture.

Maher has repeatedly rejected the use of the term “genocide” for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. He mentioned musician Macklemore, who has publicly addressed the conflict, while criticizing celebrities he believes speak about the issue without sufficient understanding.

“I think Macklemore spoke for all clueless celebrities when he said, ‘I know enough to know this is a genocide.’ Actually, you don’t know sh*t. It’s not a genocide, it’s a counter attack in a war.”

The language used to describe the conflict remains deeply contested in American politics. Supporters of Israel’s military response characterize it as a war following Hamas attacks, while critics point to the civilian suffering and destruction in Gaza as reasons for stronger condemnation.

Divisions Within the Democratic Party

When Maher calls Democrat politicians cowards, he is also highlighting wider divisions within the party over Israel, Palestinian rights, campus protests and activist language. Democratic elected officials continue to face pressure from voters and groups holding sharply different views on the conflict.

Maher has long supported many liberal positions while criticizing Democrats and the party’s progressive wing. He has said the growing influence of democratic socialists could shape his future political decisions, including his openness to voting for Vice President J.D. Vance in the 2028 presidential election.

He also said he would leave the party if Democrats were “cheering for the intifada,” a politically charged Arabic term generally translated as “uprising” and closely linked to Palestinian resistance to Israel’s government.

“When Democrats are cheering for the intifada, cut! I’m out.”

Maher’s latest remarks reflect his familiar approach of using provocative language to challenge political assumptions. His Sept. 11 comments remain among the most prominent examples from his career because they came during a period of national grief and ultimately preceded the end of his ABC show.

FAQ

Why did Bill Maher’s earlier show get canceled?

Politically Incorrect faced major backlash after Maher’s comments about the Sept. 11 hijackers in 2001. The controversy contributed to ABC canceling the program.

What did Maher say about the Sept. 11 attackers?

Maher said that although the attackers committed horrific acts, he did not believe “coward” accurately described people willing to carry out a suicide attack.

What is Maher criticizing Democrats over?

Maher criticized Democratic politicians over their approach to Gaza, Israel’s war with Hamas and political rhetoric surrounding the conflict.