Real Time with Bill Maher – Episode #707

Guests: Tom Homan, Sen. Joe Manchin, Alex Wagner

Date: September 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode tackles the escalating political and cultural polarization in America, focusing on free speech, media “cancel culture,” and immigration policy. Bill Maher and his guests—former ICE director Tom Homan, Senator Joe Manchin, and commentator Alex Wagner—debate recent high-profile controversies, including the firing of Jimmy Kimmel, government threats against media, and border policy under recent presidents. Maher’s signature "New Rules" segment closes with a reflection on the futility of politicizing mass shootings.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Monologue: Media Cancellations & Free Speech (01:40–10:14)

• Bill Maher opens with sharp commentary on the firing of Jimmy Kimmel after controversial remarks and the right’s increasing pressure on media outlets, invoking his own history with ABC (“White House keeps heat on ABC’s More”).
• Maher criticizes both political sides for stoking fear and attacks the hypocrisy of “cancel culture,” arguing it’s wielded by whoever holds power.
• Notable quote:
  • “It was 24 years to the day that I made comments on ABC that got me canceled from that network. And Jimmy Kimmel took my slot... I got canceled before cancel even had a culture.” — Bill Maher (03:45)
• He frames the broader stakes: erosion of tolerance for opposing views, and government threats to free speech.

2. Border Debate with Tom Homan (10:14–21:03)

Republican Engagement vs. Democratic Absence

• Maher notes that Republicans regularly accept his invitations for debate, while major Democratic figures often decline.
• Raises concerns about hypocrisy around free speech, as both right and left weaponize the issue.

Border Security: Policy & Numbers

• Tom Homan claims the U.S. currently has “the most secure border in the nation’s history” but blames Biden for a massive surge at the border—over 10 million crossings.
  • “If Joe Biden became president, we’d lose the border... When you make this type of offer, the whole world’s going to come...” — Tom Homan (10:53)
• Maher challenges the numbers and questions Democratic motives for permissive policies; Homan speculates about political advantages (congressional seats, future voters).
  • “No one did it better than President Trump... Joe Biden, the first president... that came into office and unsecured a border on purpose.” — Tom Homan (13:04)
• Sanctuary cities are debated—Homan calls them “sanctuaries for criminals,” arguing they block ICE from detaining known threats.
  • “They’d rather release the criminal... back into public. There’s no justification for sanctuary city other than just its politics.” — Tom Homan (14:30)
• Maher advocates some level of immigration and suggests an amnesty for those already here, citing their economic contributions.

Enforcement & Human Costs

• Homan defends prioritizing dangerous criminals but insists “If you’re in the country illegally, you’re not off the table,” emphasizing the need to uphold laws.
  • Vivid stories illustrate smuggling’s brutality: “I’ve talked... to nine-year-old little girls who were raped by multiple members of a cartel just for passing her across the river.” — Tom Homan (17:08)
• Maher presses on alleged heavy-handedness of enforcement; Homan counters that it preserves opportunities for lawful immigrants.

3. Panel Discussion: Cancel Culture, Political Violence & Division (23:26–45:39)

The Jimmy Kimmel Firing & Free Speech Hypocrisy

• The firing of Kimmel exemplifies cancel culture, says Maher, who sees it as about power, not principles.
• Joe Manchin urges regulation of online free speech, suggesting curbing Section 230 to hold platforms accountable.
  • “We do nothing to reel in the Internet. We do nothing on social media...” — Sen. Joe Manchin (24:12)
• Maher and Alex Wagner highlight government overreach, with Maher calling out Mike Pence’s misunderstanding of the First Amendment.
  • “The First Amendment... does not protect entertainers who say Crass or thoughtless things. The fuck yeah, it does.” — Bill Maher (26:59)
• Wagner notes administration officials' open threats toward media.

Who Gets Canceled?

• Maher mocks selective outrage, referencing Fox News’s Brian Kilmeade joking about “just kill” the homeless—ignored by the right.

  • “Brian says, or just kill them. And this apparently not controversial.” — Bill Maher (33:48)

• All lament the loss of civility and willingness to openly debate:

  • “The only crusade we really need is a crusade for civility.” — Sen. Joe Manchin (34:15)

Division & Calls for “National Divorce”

• The panel discusses figures—from Marjorie Taylor Greene to Ben Shapiro—openly floating a national separation. Maher jokes about which side would inherit American cultural touchstones.
• Ted Cruz earns rare bipartisan praise for defending free speech despite disliking Kimmel’s comments:
  • “If the government gets in the business of saying we don’t like what... we’re going to ban from the airwaves—it will end badly for conservatives.” — Bill Maher quoting Ted Cruz (37:41)

Reaching Across the Divide

• Manchin stresses empathy and bipartisanship, telling a story about fostering cross-party relationships on his houseboat (“a little boat on the river”)—showing that personal contact can overcome division.
  • “Before the night was over, the two were talking, became friends, and did an amendment the next day.” — Sen. Joe Manchin (38:10)
• Maher and Wagner agree both major parties have failings, but Wagner insists current GOP leadership deliberately foments division.

4. Reflecting on Assassination, Partisanship, and Shared Humanity (44:01–45:39)

• The panel reflects somberly on the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, warning against inhumanity toward political enemies.
  • “Charlie Kirk’s assassination is as bad for Democrats as it is for Republicans... you do not have to agree with what he said or what he believed in, but you have to mourn what his death represents.” — Alex Wagner (44:29)
• Wagner and Manchin spar over whether division is equally fueled by both sides; Maher suggests left-wing “cancel culture” was less state-driven than current right-wing efforts.
• Manchin demurs on running for president but signals continued political involvement.

5. The Future of Parties: Democrats and Independents (46:06–48:26)

• Manchin, promoting his new book “Dead Center,” calls for a centrist “American party,” warning that Democrats risk alienating working people.
  • “When you quit worrying about the working person... There’s something wrong. And they lost ’em.” — Sen. Joe Manchin (48:09)
• Wagner defends the Democratic “big tent” and insists rumors of the party's demise are premature.

6. New Rules – Political Satire & Commentary (48:27–end)

• Maher's “New Rules” targets absurd headlines, playground safety, password fatigue, helicopter safety, and, most pointedly, mass shootings.
  • He ridicules attempts to paint “the other side” as uniquely responsible for political violence, chronicling recent high-profile attackers whose motivations defy easy partisan categorization.
  • “What this is really about is a hole in the soul and broken families and gun glorification and getting brain raped by the Internet.” — Bill Maher (54:32)

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------------|-------| | 03:45 | Bill Maher | “I got canceled before cancel even had a culture.” | | 10:53 | Tom Homan | “If Joe Biden became president, we’d lose the border... When you make this type of offer, the whole world’s going to come...” | | 13:04 | Tom Homan | “Joe Biden... came into office and unsecured a border on purpose.” | | 17:08 | Tom Homan | “I’ve talked... to nine-year-old little girls who were raped by multiple members of a cartel just for passing her across the river.” | | 24:12 | Sen. Joe Manchin | “We do nothing to reel in the Internet. We do nothing on social media...” | | 26:59 | Bill Maher | “The First Amendment...does not protect entertainers who say Crass or thoughtless things. The fuck yeah, it does.” | | 34:15 | Sen. Joe Manchin | “The only crusade we really need is a crusade for civility.” | | 37:41 | Bill Maher quoting Ted Cruz | “If the government... we’re going to ban from the airwaves—it will end badly for conservatives.” | | 38:10 | Sen. Joe Manchin | “Before the night was over, [Tom Harkin and Ted Cruz] were talking, became friends, and did an amendment the next day.” | | 44:29 | Alex Wagner | “Charlie Kirk’s assassination is as bad for Democrats as it is for Republicans...you have to mourn what his death represents.” | | 54:32 | Bill Maher | “What this is really about is a hole in the soul and broken families and gun glorification and getting brain raped by the Internet.” |

Tone & Style

Maher’s tone is acerbic, satirical, and often biting, but the panel brings nuance, personal anecdote, and moments of humor and solidarity. There’s a shared seriousness as they confront the consequences of political hatred, balanced with Maher’s trademark irreverence in the “New Rules.”

Recommended Timestamps

• Monologue and Kimmel Firing: 01:40–10:14
• Border Security & Policy: 10:14–21:03
• Free Speech & Cancel Culture: 23:26–29:39
• Panel Division & Civility: 33:48–38:10
• Assassination & Humanity: 44:01–45:39
• New Rules (mass shootings & political violence): 48:27–end

For listeners:
This episode offers a critical, often darkly humorous take on America’s fractures—and asks whether shared humanity can persist amid so much division. The border, censorship, violence, and polarization are dissected from all angles, with sharp disagreement but also a rare, earnest call for empathy and connection.