Maher to GOP senator: ‘I’m a house ni–a’

Provocateur Bill Maher used the n-word on Friday night when he jokingly told Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) that he’s “a house n–ga” during an interview on HBO’s “Real Time.”

 

{mosads}

 

Discussing the maturity of modern American teenagers as one theme in Sasse’s new book “The Vanishing American Adult,” Maher noted that grown adults put lots of effort into dressing up for Halloween in his home state of California. The host then asked Sasse if people do the same in the Cornhusker State. 

 

“It’s frowned upon. We don’t do that quite as much,” Sasse said.

 

“I’ve got to get to Nebraska more,” Maher replied. 

 

“You’re welcome. We’d love to have you work in the fields with us,” said Sasse. 

 

“Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house n–ga,” Maher said.

 

After some in the audience laughed while others moaned, Maher informed them it was meant as jest. Sasse also smiled in response, but later tweeted that he was “cringing.”

 

“No, it’s a joke,” Maher said. 

 

“Here’s what I wish I’d been quick enough to say in the moment,” Sasse tweeted early on Saturday morning. “’Hold up, why would you think it’s OK to use that word? The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don’t use it.'”

 

In another tweet, the junior Senator said “The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity.” 

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“…The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don’t use it.” https://t.co/kEZm5vPFHK

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

Social media from the left and right was not amused. 

But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable. pic.twitter.com/K5XlEjekQ9

— deray mckesson (@deray) June 3, 2017

The one black person in the studio audience after Bill Maher said the N-Word on his show pic.twitter.com/W6zWjKAXTj

— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) June 3, 2017

Bill Maher must be fired immediately for his racism and belittling the struggle of millions of black Americans

— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) June 3, 2017

*looks at twitter* ah i see bill maher was upset that kathy griffin was getting all the attention

— andy levy (@andylevy) June 3, 2017

Bill Maher, not a racist.

Kathy Griffin, not a victim.

— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 3, 2017