Maher Grills CNN's Collins on 'Gushing' Coverage of Kamala Harris' DNC Speech

Bill Maher confronted CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins on "Real Time" about the network's overwhelmingly positive coverage of Vice President Kamala Harris' Democratic National Convention speech, accusing the network of bias.

Bill Maher, the host of HBO's "Real Time," launched a blistering critique of CNN's coverage of the Democratic National Convention, particularly its glowing praise of Vice President Kamala Harris' speech. Maher, whose show airs on CNN's sister network Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed his concern that the network's unbalanced reporting could further widen the political divide in America.

During his interview with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, Maher referenced a viral moment from Collins' appearance on "The Late Show," where the audience laughed after host Stephen Colbert joked about CNN's objectivity. Maher used this incident to question CNN's perceived neutrality, asking Collins how the network perceived its role in bridging the partisan gap.

Maher Grills CNN's Collins on 'Gushing' Coverage of Kamala Harris' DNC Speech

Collins responded by asserting that CNN provides news coverage for viewers of all political persuasions. She pointed to her own show, which features lawmakers from both parties, as well as CNN's extensive coverage of the Republican National Convention earlier this month. However, Maher pressed Collins further, claiming that CNN's coverage of Harris' speech was excessively flattering.

Maher noted that while Harris' speech ended at 11:09 ET, it took until 11:23 for CNN to feature a conservative commentator, Scott Jennings, to provide a dissenting perspective. This, according to Maher, created the impression of "15 minutes of gushing" before viewers heard any opposing views.

Maher Grills CNN's Collins on 'Gushing' Coverage of Kamala Harris' DNC Speech

Collins defended CNN's coverage, stating that it was not intended to be biased but rather to provide a thorough analysis of Harris' speech. She emphasized that CNN had a diverse group of commentators on hand to offer their perspectives. However, Maher countered that the overwhelming positive reaction to Harris' speech, without a more balanced representation of conservative viewpoints, could alienate conservative viewers.

Maher also criticized CNN's coverage of former President Donald Trump's town hall last year, pointing out how the live audience cheered for Trump while the network's commentators were highly critical of his performance. He argued that this type of reporting could be perceived as biased against conservatives.

Maher Grills CNN's Collins on 'Gushing' Coverage of Kamala Harris' DNC Speech

Collins pushed back against Maher's characterization, stating that she believes CNN is fair and balanced. She emphasized that she has viewers from both conservative and liberal backgrounds who trust her to provide unbiased reporting. However, Maher maintained that CNN's coverage often appears to favor one side over the other.

The exchange between Maher and Collins highlighted the ongoing debate over the role of media in a deeply divided political landscape. While some argue that media outlets should strive for neutrality, others believe that it is necessary to challenge misinformation and provide critical analysis, even if it may be perceived as biased to certain viewers.

Maher Grills CNN's Collins on 'Gushing' Coverage of Kamala Harris' DNC Speech