Latest
DAVID MARCUS: Bill Maher’s no Republican, he’s just a rare Democrat who thinks
Bill MaherBill Maher’s “Real Time” show on HBO has become something of a unicorn in the modern political media landscape, a place where liberals and conservatives can actually have substantive conversations rather than simply sling mud.
A big part of what allows for this unique discourse is that Maher is an unconventional Democrat. He’s something of a dinosaur, with a political view that seems stuck in the tar pits of 1990s Bill Clintonism. He is in some ways the avatar of the Democratic Party that was.
Maher remains pro-Israel, regularly rolls his eyes at the excesses of wokism and the trans movement, has a friendly respect for President Donald Trump, with whom he has dined, and in general is a poster child of “I didn’t leave the party, the party left me.” He’s even friends with Kid Rock!
This has led many conservatives to suggest that Maher is a better fit in the Republican Party than the Democratic Party. Jump in, the water is fine, they say.
GREG GUTFELD: CONSTANT DEMONIZATION BACKFIRED AND MADE TRUMP APPEAR APPEALINGLY DANGEROUS
But this misses an essential point. Maher is not a Republican, he is a Democrat. Conservatives should be rooting for him to influence his party in positive ways, not to abandon it.
Maher always makes me think of my cousin Jimmy, who has been a big fan for decades. Jimmy is in many ways the quintessential Pennsylvania Democrat. He is successful, has a beautiful Catholic family, and like me, grew up believing in the Teamsters and the pope.
I asked Jimmy what he liked so much about Maher and he told me, “I like Bill Maher a lot because he calls a spade a spade, based on facts and science and not ideological craziness. He calls out the crazy for what it is. I like that he does it regardless of who he’s talking about, left or right.”
This is maybe a bit more of a glowing review than I would give to Maher, but it’s not far off the mark. More importantly, based on conversations I have with Democrats around the country, more of them think like Maher, than think like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez D-NY, or commie podcaster Hasan Piker.
In this way, Maher is something like a focus group of one.
And it’s not just Maher clinging to the principles of the old Party of Jefferson and Jackson. Sen. John Fetterman D-Pa., also insists on being an old-school Democrat rather than changing sides and joining the GOP.
But honestly, for all the attacks against Fetterman from the left of his party, there is no major policy issue that the senator supports that was not a mainstream Democratic position as recently as 2020.
The plain truth here is that Maher, my cousin Jimmy and Fetterman are never going to be Republicans. It’s like asking Magic Johnson to play for the Celtics. But they may be the voices that bring their party, and our nation, back from the edge.
On Saturday night, at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a third attempt was made on the life of President Trump. It almost feels normal at this point, but it is not normal, and while everyone for the next 12 hours will discuss taking down the temperature, Maher really does it.
Because of the power of the presidency under our Constitution, we will always have two parties, one that controls the White House, and another composed of everyone else. It behooves all of us for both to be measured, responsible and nonviolent.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION
Maher does our nation inestimably more good as the reasonable, old-timey, joint-smoking Democrat than he does as a turncoat nouveau Trumper, and as beacon of sanity in a party flinging itself wildly to the left, he helps everyone.
So let’s stop trying to turn Maher into a Republican. We don’t need to chant “One of us!” because he is not one of us. He is a Democrat, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Perhaps the greatest testament to the importance of Maher is his remarkable staying power. In a media ecosystem in which political shows and anchors rise and fall like so many ships in a storm, he has been a Rock of Gibraltar.
Just as for decades “The McLaughlin Group” was the space for the right and left to respectfully cross rhetorical swords, today it is “Real Time” that fills this vital role, and for better or worse, it only really works, quite specifically, because Bill Maher is, and always will be, a Democrat.
Latest
New York woman convicted for throwing dynamite at boyfriend, blowing off his hand as he tried to get rid of it
A New York woman was convicted after authorities said she threw a handmade stick of dynamite at her boyfriend while he was sleeping, causing his hand to be blown off as he attempted to get rid of the explosive.
Keyonna Waddell, 35, of Deer Park on Long Island, was found guilty by a jury on Friday of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the March 2024 incident.
Waddell had threatened the victim with dynamite several times in the months leading up to the incident, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
WOMAN CHARGED IN MAN’S FATAL STABBING OUTSIDE UPSCALE LONG ISLAND YACHT CLUB
“Domestic violence can escalate to deadly levels, and this case is a sobering reminder of that reality,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
On March 22, 2024, Waddell and her boyfriend were involved in an argument inside his apartment, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
After the dispute, the man left the apartment and told Waddell to leave. When he arrived back home, Waddell did not appear to be there, and he went to sleep.
He was later woken up by a hissing sound and noticed a flame on the floor of his bedroom. He then realized that a stick of dynamite had been thrown into his bedroom and attempted to toss the explosive device out of the window, but it detonated and blew off most of his hand before he was able to throw it out of harm’s way.
The victim then ran out of his home to the driveway, at which point he saw Waddell running away.
He was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where the remainder of his hand and part of his arm were amputated.
MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING VICTIM IN FACE WITH CROSSBOW: POLICE
Waddell was arrested the following day, officials said. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 27, and she could face up to 25 years in prison.
“Thanks to the outstanding work of our prosecutors and the Suffolk County Police Department, a dangerous individual has been held accountable and will face a lengthy prison sentence for this horrific act,” Tierney said in his statement.
Latest
Diego Pavia accepts Ravens rookie minicamp invite after making unfortunate NFL Draft history: reports
Diego Pavia, the polarizing former Vanderbilt quarterback who was runner-up in Heisman voting last season, has reportedly found a home in the NFL after going undrafted this weekend.
Pavia accepted an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, per multiple reports. He doesn’t have a spot on the roster yet, but it’s a start as he looks to crack into the NFL with Baltimore.
Of course, Lamar Jackson, the two-time MVP quarterback, is cemented as the team’s starting quarterback, but perhaps Pavia can stand out enough in rookie minicamp to earn an invitation to training camp this summer.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Pavia was not expecting to be undrafted this weekend, but he became the first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 to not hear his name called through the seven rounds in Pittsburgh.
Pavia won the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award for best upperclassman quarterback after throwing for 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, both of which single-season school records, to give the Commodores its first-ever 10-win season.
Vanderbilt just missed out on the College Football Playoff after finishing 10-3.
POLARIZING COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR, HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST GOES UNDRAFTED
Pavia ultimately finished second in Heisman voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza – the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. So, what ultimately led to Pavia not getting drafted?
While his personality may have factored in, Pavia’s official height at the NFL Scouting Combine turned some heads. Vanderbilt had him listed at 6-foot, but he was measured at 5-foot-9 7/8, which would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL if he were to step foot on the gridiron today. The average height is 6-foot-2 for an NFL quarterback.
However, those shorter than the average have seen success, including Minnesota Vikings newest member, Kyler Murray, who went first overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 coming out of Oklahoma. He’s listed at 5-foot-10.
Pavia barked back at critics during the Senior Bowl in January regarding his height.
“Yeah, my size has been doubted my whole life,” he said at the time, via AL.com. “I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is can you win, and I view myself as a winner. I’ve been fortunate with all these great teams that I’ve had — we’ve never had a losing season. So that’s something to look forward to, I hope, for the rest of my career, that’s how it’s going to be.
“I feel like God has blessed me in so many ways to be a connector, and I feel like that’s one of my superpowers that I’ve got — I can connect. We unite, and then once you unite, you want to play for one another, and once you give 120% effort, there’s no one that can stop your team.”
Pavia’s personality, viewed by some as more cocky than confident, may have played a factor as well. After finishing runner-up to Mendoza in Heisman voting, Pavia was spotted at a New York City nightclub next to a sign that read, “F— Indiana.” Then, he posted on social media a photo with friends and a caption that read, “F— ALL THE VOTERS, BUT…FAMILY FOR LIFE.”
Pavia later apologized for his decision to post that on his socials.
No matter the case, Pavia has a shot now with the Ravens and new head coach Jesse Minter, as he aims to show enough to join the quarterbacks group in training camp. Other than Jackson, the Ravens have Tyler “Snoop” Huntley on the roster to start the season.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Latest
Patricia Heaton urges ‘friends on the left’ to tone down extreme rhetoric after WHCD shooting
Patricia Heaton is calling on “her friends on the left” to tone down heated political rhetoric following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, first lady Melania Trump and other top officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after shots were fired near the ballroom after a gunman exchanged fire with Secret Service agents in the lobby before being subdued and taken into custody.
When shots were fired, hundreds of attendees ducked under tables or took cover inside the ballroom before being evacuated, and the event was subsequently postponed.
On Sunday, Heaton, 68, wrote on X that although she disagreed with past Democratic presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden, she believes critics of political leaders should reject extreme language and violence.
BUTLER ONE YEAR LATER: REVISITING THE HISTORIC ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST DONALD TRUMP
“I wasn’t happy when Clinton, Obama or Biden won, but I didn’t call them fascist/dangerous/threat to democracy. I didn’t hope someone would assassinate them. I went on with my life with gratitude. Friends on the left, please try this. Your life and our country will be better,” the “Everybody Loves Raymond” star said.
On Sunday, senior federal law enforcement sources confirmed to Fox News that the suspect told law enforcement he intended to target Trump administration officials.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Allen, of Torrance, Calif., adding that he prepared a manifesto outlining his intent and shared anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on social media.
WHY BLAMING ‘THE LEFT’ IS EASIER THAN DETERRING VIOLENCE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER
As the WHCA was underway, Allen allegedly rushed a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton while armed with multiple weapons and opened fire, striking a Secret Service officer in his ballistic vest.
Agents returned fire and tackled Allen to the ground. The suspect and the injured officer were transported to a hospital. The Secret Service agent is expected to make a full recovery and was released from the hospital Sunday.
The incident adds to a growing list of threats against President Donald Trump, including two confirmed assassination attempts and a recent incident involving an armed intruder at Mar-a-Lago.
BONGINO QUESTIONS SECURITY PERIMETER AT WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER: ‘COMPRESSED TOO FAR’
The White House said Sunday that Allen’s brother contacted the New London Police Department in Connecticut prior to the shooting, reporting that Allen had sent family members an alleged manifesto outlining his intent to target administration officials.
Officials also said Allen’s social media included anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric.
Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, told investigators in Rockville, Maryland, that her brother had made increasingly radical statements and often spoke about doing “something” to address issues in the world.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Heaton has previously spoken out against inflammatory political discourse. Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September 2025, Heaton called out what she saw as the moral hypocrisy of people who were celebrating or mocking Kirk’s death online,
“The most violent rhetoric is always from people who have phrases like ‘choose kindness’ in their bios,” she tweeted at the time.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Following the 2024 presidential election, Heaton slammed political pundits for “fear-mongering” and denigrating voters during the election cycle by telling them Trump posed a threat to their way of life.
“To all these extremists that are allowed television time, who told women that this is what is going to happen to them, shame on you! Shame on you!” she said in a video posted to X in November 2024.
“Apparently, there are some really vulnerable people here who you targeted, and you fear-mongered to and you need to go back on the air and tell them things are going to be okay, tell them that they’re fine.”
“Also, stop saying people who voted differently from you are ‘uneducated’,” she continued. “Learn your f-ing lesson about smearing people who vote differently from you, who have different needs from you, who have legitimate complaints. Quit dismissing them as uneducated. When are you going to learn?”
-
Latest2 weeks agoVance Leaves Meeting, Looks Straight Into Camera, Announces Stunning Arrest
-
News2 weeks agoAdam Schiff Facing 30 Years In Prison After Bank Records Leak
-
Latest2 weeks agoSupreme Curt Sides With Trump — He Can Remove The All
-
News2 weeks agoAll Hell Breaks Loose On Fox When Jesse Watters Asks Fetterman One Question
-
News2 weeks agoNBC Stops LIVE Broadcast — Breaks Big Trump News
-
News2 weeks agoSwalwell Facing Jail Time After Sickening New Video Leaks
-
Latest2 weeks agoUT Judge Drops Bombshell In Charlie Kirk Killer Case
-
Latest2 weeks agoMelania Gets Huge Surprise 24 Hours After Making Epstein Announcement
