OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Liberal HBO host Bill Maher shut down far-left documentary filmmaker Michael Moore during an exchange on Maher’s program Friday evening.
As his show opened, Maher introduced Moore and noted that it was the 20th anniversary of one of Moore’s early films, “Bowling for Columbine,” which is based on the mass shooting at the Denver-area high school in the late 1990s.
He then went on to note that Moore, who was appearing remotely, had lost some weight as well, jokingly noting, “You look like Michael Less.”
As the topic quickly shifted to politics, Moore began by noting he was optimistic about Democratic chances will railing on Republicans as “insurrectionists” and predicting many of them will go down in defeat.
“So, ah, listen, we’ve talked about the midterms many times here. I think there’s sort of a bright spot there in the fact that the country is on the brink,” Maher began. “Which, for the first time I can remember, the midterms are sexy. This is the one usually we had trouble getting people to go out and vote for. Now there’s very high enthusiasm for a midterm election.”
After telling viewers and audience members to make sure to vote in the upcoming November midterms, Moore explained why he believes Democrats are in good shape in spite of President Joe Biden’s low approval ratings, still-high inflation, a cratering stock market, and massive illegal migrant crossings and drug-smuggling.
“I honestly believe Bill, and you know, you and I are two well-known pessimists, I think, and I have never felt this optimistic,” said Moore. “And I, and, you know, I was on your show here, what’s, now six years ago when I said that Trump was going to win. And the audience booed me, and you stood up for me.”
“You know, I’m from the Midwest. I think I had a pretty good sense of what was going to happen. I think the opposite is going to happen this time,” Moore added. “I think that that there is going to be such a landslide against the traitors, especially the 147 Republicans who just hours after the insurrection voted to not certify the elected President of the United States, Joe Biden.”
“And I think that there is going to be so many people coming out to vote. I want to thank the Supreme Court for reminding women that they are, in fact, second-class citizens and taking their rights away like this. There are so many,” he continued.
The left-wing documentarian then named a number of states where abortion was already being restricted following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“I think there’s a real revolution, a nonviolent revolution going on in favor of democracy,” Moore concluded. “People don’t want to lose it.”
“Michael Moore. Now let’s meet our panel,” Maher said, trying to move to his other guests.
“I’m sorry!” Moore replied.
“I’m sorry. Question two!” Maher replied.
“I’m just excited,” Moore continued. “We’re going to get rid of these people that are trying to tear the country down. We’re going to get rid of them. I’m excited about it.”
“I see. You know, we have some Republicans watching this show. We are, we are for all Americans on this show,” Maher reminded Moore.
“So I don’t know. But that’s why we should …” Moore continued.
“Yeah, I know, I know. Shut the fuck up! Shut up right now and answer one other question. Okay?” Maher chided, as he clearly stated he was moving forward.
WATCH:
Last week, former President Bill Clinton said he believes Democrats could hang on to both the House and Senate, but they have to be wary of how strong Republicans traditionally close races.
He spoke to CNN host Fareed Zakaria on Sunday and warned Democrats that Republicans have a plan of attack.
“We could hold both these houses,” Clinton said. “But we have to say the right things. And we have to note the Republicans always close well. Why? Because they find some new way to scare the living daylights out of swing voters about something. That’s what they did in 2021 — where they made critical race theory sound worse than smallpox. And it wasn’t being taught in any public schools in America. But they didn’t care. They just scare people.”
