Bill Maher is no stranger to controversy, but his latest on-air monologue has sparked a new round of heated debate—this time, over patriotism, progressive activism, and what it really means to “love America.” On his most recent episode, the veteran comedian and political commentator didn’t just critique, he delivered a full-scale, no-holds-barred takedown of what he calls the “woke left’s” self-defeating narrative.

With his trademark blend of wit and sarcasm, Maher opened by lampooning the now-common “land acknowledgements” at public events. “Either give it back or shut the up,” he quipped, taking aim at what he sees as performative activism. The audience roared, and Maher was just getting started.

Hypocrisy and Patriotism

Maher’s central argument? Too many progressive voices, he claims, have lost all perspective on what America is—and what it can be. “For all the talk about fighting for the soul of America, nobody seems to like it very much,” Maher said, describing a liberal movement that, in his view, focuses more on America’s flaws than its potential.

He pointed to comments from prominent progressive politicians, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Rep. Cori Bush, as examples of what he called “identity politics marinated in self-loathing.” When Bush tweeted, “This land is stolen land and Black people still aren’t free” on the Fourth of July, Maher didn’t hold back. “I’m not a rah-rah guy,” he admitted, “but I am a perspective guy, and that’s what too much of the left has lost.”

Citing a poll that found 72% of Black Americans under 30 are optimistic about their future in the U.S.—a higher rate than their white peers—Maher challenged the narrative that America is irredeemably broken. “Yes, we could change the name of Captain America to Captain Stolen Land,” he joked, with his signature edge. “But that’s not the whole story.”

Calling Out Performative Activism

Maher didn’t stop with politicians. He took aim at what he called “social media warriors” and “virtue signalers” who, in his view, talk a big game about justice while benefiting from the very system they criticize. “You can’t call your ancestors criminals while cashing in on everything they built, then act like posting a paragraph fixes it,” he said, referencing the trend of land acknowledgements and guilt-driven social posts.

For Maher, this kind of activism is more about performance than progress. “That kind of guilt is fake—it’s not solidarity, it’s performance. A guilt-soaked fashion statement designed to rack up likes, not create change,” he argued. Instead of feeding hungry families or fixing broken policies, Maher claimed, performative outrage only fuels more division.

Fact vs. Feeling

Maher’s monologue was a masterclass in contradiction, pointing out what he sees as the gap between progressive rhetoric and reality. When Rep. Ocasio-Cortez claimed “so many people in this country hate women,” Maher countered with a global perspective: “Women here can vote, launch companies, speak up, dress how they want, and lead movements. That’s not just freedom—it’s straight up power.”

The same, he said, goes for capitalism. When Rep. Jamal Bowman compared capitalism to slavery, Maher responded, “It’s the thing that has given more people more prosperity and hope than any other system—flawed though it surely is.” He argued that such rhetoric convinces young people they’re trapped in a dystopia, when in reality they have more rights and opportunities than almost anywhere else on earth.

Billionaires and Double Standards

Maher also called out what he sees as selective outrage over wealth and power. While progressive leaders often decry “the billionaire class,” Maher noted that the Democratic Party is “stacked with billionaires who aren’t just throwing money around—they’re actively shaping the game.” From George Soros to Michael Bloomberg, he argued, both parties have their share of elite donors, and pretending otherwise is “political theater at its finest.”

America’s Global Appeal

Perhaps Maher’s most powerful point came when he contrasted America’s critics with those risking everything to immigrate here. “If America is really that awful, why are people risking everything just to get here?” he asked. For many immigrants, America is not a dystopia—it’s a lifeline. Maher argued that the freedom to criticize the government without fear is itself a privilege, one not available in many parts of the world.

The 2024 Election and the Path Forward

Looking ahead to the 2028 election, Maher offered a warning to Democrats: “Painting America like a hellscape clearly didn’t work in 2024. Voters weren’t buying the constant pity party, the cultural guilt trips, or the non-stop lectures about how ashamed they should feel. They wanted honesty, not a TED talk in despair.”

He argued that if Democrats want to win back voters, they need to show “real, visible, unapologetic loyalty” to the country—not just during photo ops, but in their policies and messaging. “Patriotism isn’t passé—it’s expected,” Maher said. “Americans don’t want leaders who moan about their country like it’s a lost cause. They want leaders who build, uplift, and lead with grit, not guilt.”

On Kamala Harris and the Woke Left

Maher also addressed Vice President Kamala Harris’s struggles with public perception, dismissing the idea that she simply needed more time to connect with voters. “It wasn’t time she needed—it was authenticity,” he said, arguing that voters want “change they can actually feel,” not speeches “wrapped in political jargon.”

Finally, Maher turned his focus to the “woke left” itself, lamenting what he sees as a movement that has lost its way. “What started as a movement about justice and inclusion has mutated into something toxic,” he said. Instead of lifting people up, he argued, it has become about “shutting people down,” policing language and thought, and driving away even longtime liberals.

The Takeaway

Maher’s message was clear: America isn’t perfect, but relentless negativity and performative outrage aren’t the answer. If progressives want to build a better future, he argued, they need to rediscover perspective, authenticity, and—yes—a little bit of pride.