Maher: Dems Only Remember Patriotism During Elections
Bill Maher criticized Democrats for only embracing patriotism during election campaigns, urging Americans to celebrate Independence Day despite Trump by honoring the constitutional system.
Television host Bill Maher delivered a pointed critique of the Democratic Party’s selective embrace of patriotism during his Friday night broadcast, arguing that liberal politicians only briefly rediscover national pride during election campaigns before reverting to treating it as an embarrassment.
According to Breitbart News, the HBO “Real Time” host used his closing monologue to challenge Americans to celebrate Independence Day regardless of their feelings about President Donald Trump, warning against allowing partisan politics to overshadow love of country.
Bill Maher opened his remarks by urging viewers to embrace America’s birthday celebrations rather than boycotting them due to the current administration. He dismissed the attitude of refusing to participate in national celebrations because of Trump as childish behavior.
The comedian acknowledged Trump’s tendency to conflate himself with the nation—a characteristic he described as typical of aspiring authoritarians—but insisted Americans should not become accomplices to this strategy by abandoning patriotism altogether.
Maher noted that despite concerns about creeping authoritarianism, attacks on free speech, politicization of the Justice Department, and enemies lists—worries he has held since coining the term “slow-moving coup” in 2016—the American system of checks and balances continues to constrain executive power.
The host emphasized that while Trump may occupy the presidency, American institutions represent everything preventing him from exercising the monarchical authority he might desire. He called for celebrating the constitutional framework of checks and balances this Fourth of July, acknowledging it faces threats but remains functional.
Democrats Abandon Patriotism Between Elections
Drawing a contrast with past liberal movements, Maher recalled how 1960s radical Abbie Hoffman wore an American flag shirt when appearing before the House Un-American Activities Committee. The message that most threatens authoritarians, Maher argued, is not that America is flawed but that America is ours too.
The television personality observed that Democrats appear to remember patriotism for approximately one hour during their conventions when attempting to win swing voters. He noted that Kamala Harris‘s 2024 convention speech centered on taking back the flag, with rhetoric resembling that of a pageant contestant.
However, Maher insisted that reclaiming patriotic symbols cannot happen in a single hour if the rest of the time such displays are treated as vaguely embarrassing. He maintained this attitude is misplaced even though America remains far from perfect.
Reflecting on America’s bicentennial celebration in 1976, Maher recalled wearing a commemorial shirt throughout that summer without anyone assuming it signaled approval of then-President Nixon. Fifty years ago, he noted, liberals did not concede patriotism to conservatives.
The host pointed out that America faced significant challenges in 1976 as well, yet citizens still made the bicentennial a massive celebration of the nation. He concluded with a simple reminder that milestone birthdays come only once.
With information from Breitbart News
