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Maher ribs trans people over Roe leak: ‘Suddenly getting the right pronoun doesn’t seem so big’

May 7, 2022 | | Print Article

Comedian and social commentator Bill Maher once again proved he doesn’t care who he angers, this time taking aim at trans people in his opening monologue about the anticipated overturning by the Supreme Court of Roe v. Wade.

On Friday’s episode of HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher,” the comic managed to find some humor in the leaked Supreme Court opinion draft that indicates the power of deciding the legalities of abortions will soon be returned to the states.

“And women,” he began, “I got to tell you, if you can’t remember what you did last night, you might want to get the abortion now. I’m just saying.”

Maher listed legislation in conservative states that have already moved to restrict abortions — states Maher refers to as “Waffle House states.”

“Now it’s just going to be a race with the Waffle House states to just get more and more restrictive about abortion,” Maher said. “Oklahoma already has one on the books. Six weeks can’t get an — after six weeks. Most women don’t even know they’re pregnant at six weeks. They don’t even know if they like the guy. Six weeks. That’s a quick look.”

Maher then turned his attention to Louisiana.

“Louisiana wants to pass a law that says flat out if you get an abortion, you get charged with murder,” Maher stated.

“Wow,” he exclaimed dryly. “Suddenly getting the right pronoun doesn’t seem so big, does it?”

“But on the bright side,” Maher continued, “it’s not really that big of a bright side. But in Louisiana, okay, if the fetus is absolutely a human being and you’re driving alone to another state to get an abortion, you can use the carpool lane.”

The observation got a big laugh from the audience, but online, it was enough to spark controversy.

Apparently anticipating a slew of snarks, Tommy Topher, editor of the liberal-leaning Mediaite, turned off his comments to all but those he follows. but characterizing the joke as “taunting trans people” reveals his take on the comment.

And, naturally, others were quick to agree with him.

“He’s such a pig!!!” replied one user who was permitted to respond.

“Man, Bill Maher is such a piece of s**t,” tweeted another.

What’s interesting in light of Jan. 6 is that no one seems to be commenting on an earlier joke, in which some thought Maher suggested that storming the Supreme Court would be a good thing.

“Well, I mean, that’s the big news, right?” Maher said earlier of the leaked draft. “The big news. Right. Okay. They’re going to get rid of Roe versus Wade after 49 years. And as soon as this was leaked, protesters immediately gathered outside the Supreme Court.”

“Memo to my Democratic friends,” Maher added. “More effective when you’re on the inside.”

Later in the show, Maher took a softer stance and urged pro-choice activists to calm down, BizPac Review reports.

Joined by a pro-abortion panel that included CNN contributor Paul Begala and former NBC Sports reporter Michele Tafoya, Maher said in response to Begala’s fears that a reversal of the controversial decision would be taking the country back in time, “So, you know, for the people who say we’re going back to 1973, we’re not. That’s just factually inaccurate.”

Melissa Fine
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