Bill Maher Calls NPR Far-Left, Reviving Critique After $1.1 Billion Public Media Cut
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 15
Bill Maher Calls NPR Far-Left, Reviving Critique After $1.1 Billion Public Media Cut
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 15
Summary
Bill Maher told NPR's Steve Inskeep he views the network as "on the far extreme of the left," adding he was surprised NPR invited him on its "Newsmakers" podcast.
The exchange came as Maher defended engaging opposing views and argued Americans now punish speech inconsistently, citing backlash over some offenses while saying Hamas "rapists" were cheered by some supporters.
Steve Inskeep pushed back, saying NPR's audience and guest lineup are more diverse than Maher assumes and that the outlet goes out of its way to hear "all kinds of people."
Maher has made the same case before: in March 2025 he mocked NPR CEO Katherine Maher's claim of neutrality and said polarized politics meant federally subsidized outlets like NPR and PBS should become private.
That debate intensified after Congress in July 2025 rescinded $1.1 billion in previously approved funding for public media, making NPR's political positioning a continuing flashpoint.