Bill Maher's Defense Against Critics: The Left Has Changed, Not Him

Comedian Bill Maher has responded to criticism that he has "turned" against the left, arguing that it is actually the left that has changed its stance on various issues.

Bill Maher, the outspoken comedian and political commentator, has hit back against critics who claim he has "turned" against the left, asserting that it is the left itself that has undergone a transformation in its ideas and beliefs.

During an interview on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," Maher addressed the accusations that he has become more critical of the left in recent years. He refuted these claims, stating that he has not changed his views but rather has observed a significant shift in the left's own perspectives.

"I haven't turned. Yes, people have said to me, 'You make fun of the left more than you used to,' and guilty, I have, because the left has changed," Maher said. He went on to argue that the right has also changed, but "for the worse."

Maher outlined several areas where he believes the left has deviated from its traditional positions, including issues related to gender, race, free speech, and economic policies. He criticized the left for embracing ideas such as "gender is always a social construct" and "maybe we should give communism another try."

"It's not that I've gotten old, it's that your ideas are stupid, OK?" Maher declared.

CNN host Fareed Zakaria, who has also expressed skepticism towards certain progressive narratives, interjected, "Common sense is common sense."

Maher emphasized that his criticism of the left does not equate to support for the Republican Party. He denounced presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump as a "sociopath" and accused the Republican Party of being "anti-democratic" and a threat to the country's future.

"The View" co-host Sunny Hostin had previously challenged Maher on his perceived shift in views, calling him "changed." Maher responded that he considers himself an "old school liberal" but acknowledged that he has become more critical of the progressive wing of the left.

Maher also raised concerns about the impact of social media on young men's communication skills, particularly in the context of dating. He suggested that young men have become reliant on superficial interactions through apps like Tinder, which he believes hinders their ability to develop meaningful connections with women.

"I think this is going to be a very big problem. I think young men thought it was a great thing when Tinder came along. Oh, my gosh, look, I don't even have to talk to a girl. It's all right here on my phone. I can just scroll through, like it's a menu, like I'm ordering from Grubhub," Maher said.

He argued that women remain the same in their desire for communication, and that men need to develop their ability to connect with them on a deeper level.