On Monday, talk show host Bill Maher shared some unexpected news: he is set to appear in a documentary about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA.
During a conversation with comedian Jeff Dunham on his show “Club Random,” Maher was reminded of a particularly noteworthy interview he conducted with Kirk. Dunham complimented the interview, describing it as memorable and significant.
Charlie Kirk, who became well-known for his willingness to engage in debates with individuals from all areas of the political spectrum, tragically lost his life during a campus event last September, leaving a void in political discourse.
Maher echoed Dunham’s sentiments, expressing that he thoroughly enjoyed hosting the interview with Kirk. He then revealed, “By the way, they’re doing a documentary and they asked if I would be in it.”
“By the way they’re doing a documentary and they asked if I would be in it,” Maher announced.
“I said yes. I’m giving them five minutes after my taping Friday night because — and I told them, ‘Don’t expect me to be just saying you know, hagiography about Charlie.’ I liked him as a person. I’m glad I talked to him.”
While Kirk’s death caused some of his critics to emerge and dredge up his more controversial or pointed political statements, Maher said they ultimately did not make him a “monster” by any means.
“I do not think he was a monster,” he said. “And if you look at his statements, I’ve read the full statements — of course because everybody is only interested in getting points for their team. They mischaracterized them.
“But even when I read the full statement, which were accurately characterized, I still disagreed with them. But it wasn’t what they presented.”
“Again, it’s always in the middle,” Maher said. “It wasn’t as bad as they said, but I still disagree.”
“That’s what I loved about the interview is that is that you sat there and considered things and listened to him, let him talk and it was a really great discussion,” Dunham said.
“My little motto here is everybody’s a monster [until] you talk to them,” Maher responded, as he went on to list multiple famous conservatives he has spoken to on his show.
Maher went on to blast many Democrats for being unwilling to talk with their opposition, including fellow Democrats like himself.
“And the Republicans, they definitely are better at like, ‘Well, we’ll talk,” Maher said.