Liberal comedian Bill Maher recently discussed the appeal of former President Donald Trump to young white men, suggesting that his allure lies in not condemning them for their identity. This insight came during Maher’s conversation with actor Joel Edgerton on the Club Random podcast.
They both reflected on the prevalence of guilt in modern society, especially regarding parenting and the criticism that young white men face. Maher remarked, “There’s too much guilt. There’s truly no need to feel guilty. I’m sure today’s parents are dedicating more time to their kids than my generation ever did. My parents, for instance, felt less obligation. They thought, ‘We brought you into this world, looked after your basic needs. That’s enough.'”
Maher continued, expressing nostalgia for his own childhood, where freedom and autonomy were the norms: “I mean, as long as I was home for dinner by 6, it was all good.” He then criticized the shaming directed at working parents, including celebrities, for not being present enough at home. “Don’t worry about it,” he stated, advocating acceptance of individual circumstances.
He also pondered why so many young people are attracted to Trump. Perhaps, he hypothesized, it’s because Trump doesn’t perpetuate guilt over inherent traits like being white. “You know, it’s like there’s this narrative that young men are to blame for everything. And I’m older; I recall a time when it felt quite different,” Maher explained.
The discussion also touched on meritocracy and inclusivity, with Maher making a point that while past injustices exist, there’s a need to recognize improvements and the importance of merit. Edgerton noted that discussions about inclusivity sometimes come with an undertone of fear, suggesting a shift back to valuing competence.
In closing, Maher stated that merely being white shouldn’t disqualify someone from expressing opinions. “We’re not going to accept that guilt,” he said. “We can still engage in discussions, and that should be okay.”
