Bill Maher Critiques Molly McNerney’s Political Ultimatum
On Friday, “Real Time” host Bill Maher took aim at Molly McNerney, wife of Jimmy Kimmel, over what he described as an “ultimatum” about political beliefs directed at her family members who support President Trump.
McNerney, who is an executive producer on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” appeared on the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast on November 6. During the episode, she mentioned reaching out to some conservative family members in a last-ditch effort to persuade them not to vote for Trump in the upcoming 2024 election. She revealed she sent them an email listing “10 reasons not to vote” for him and indicated she had cut ties with some relatives due to their political beliefs.
While discussing politics and family, Maher referenced McNerney’s statements, accusing her of severing connections with relatives who did not heed her message against voting for Trump. He remarked, “Since Molly McNerney, Jimmy Kimmel’s wife, has recently come out on this topic, I think it’s only fair that she respectfully comments on it publicly.” He noted that an ultimatum rarely changes people’s political views, rather it prompts them to reflect on themselves.
Maher further expressed his thoughts with a hint of sarcasm, saying, “Ten reasons? I can think of 100. But I would never offer it to someone as an ultimatum.” He believed that issuing such demands doesn’t foster understanding but could lead to resentment.
He ended this segment by reflecting on the broader implications of McNerney’s stance, suggesting that her perspective might overlook why millions voted differently. “You’re the reason she lost,” he remarked, addressing the dissonance in their shared political contexts.
During the podcast, McNerney shared feelings of betrayal about family members voting for Trump, especially since her husband had a public fallout with the president over the suspension of his show last September. Following this incident, ABC temporarily halted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” due to the backlash against Kimmel’s comments. McNerney expressed, “I’m so hurt because of my personal relationships right now. My husband is out there fighting this guy…” She lamented the loss of familial connections as a result of these political schisms.
In her discussions, McNerney revealed her evolving view on politics, stating it had shifted from a binary of “Republicans vs. Democrats” to a focus on family values. She expressed frustration with the current Republican Party’s stance on issues she feels passionate about, like caring for the sick and poor, and noted how this conflict often left her feeling angry and conflicted.
Ultimately, McNerney conveyed a desire for understanding amidst these tensions, even as they appeared to create further divides within her family.
