Bill Maher grills CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins as he accuses network of 'gushing' over Kamala Harris at DNC

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Comedian Bill Maher called out CNN for leaning toward the left while talking to network host Kaitlan Collins on the Friday, August 23 episode of his show 'Real Time'.

Maher's show was created by HBO, and later airs on CNN as well, which is a sister network owned by Warner Bros Discovery.

Maher claimed to be a big supporter of the news network but criticized the way it covered Kamala Harris' speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago earlier in the week.

Bill Maher and Kaitlan Collins' conversation over CNN

"I'm a big rooter for CNN, but that tells you a lot, doesn't it?" Bill Maher asked Kaitlan Collins on his show. "How do you guys think you're doing in that arena of like ‘This is a terribly divided country. We’re not only politicized, a lot of people just hate the other side.' And CNN, in my view, should be the place where both sides can watch. How do you think you're doing with that?" he asked.

"CNN is the place where both sides can watch," responded the news anchor. "My show is evidence of that. We have lawmakers from both parties. We'll have Elizabeth Warren on one night, we'll have Ted Cruz on another night… I mean, look at what just happened in Chicago," she added.

"We had 300 people from CNN on the ground covering that convention. There were several reporters from just our team alone on the floor bringing it in real time to people. And I think CNN puts resources behind things and just brings a level of news that you don't get anywhere else," she elaborated.

"I'm talking about the people on CNN," clarified Maher. "And I know what the conservative side of America thinks. And I don't blame them."

He proceeded to bring up the network's coverage of the Democratic nominee's address at the event on Thursday, June 22, stating that up until the "one conservative guy," Scott Jennings, came on air, CNN hosts were all in high praises of the Vice President.

"From 8:09 to 8:23 (PT), they were just gushing about how great a speech it was. And I think she did fine. I didn't think it was as good as they were making it up to be. But if I'm a conservative in America and I'm watching CNN just for the straight middle of the road, that's what I hear for 15 minutes. It's great. And then Lonely Scott," he said.

Maher had earlier quipped that he refers to network host Scott Jennings as "Lonely Scott."

"It does look like tokenism. It's kind of like the same as ‘The View’. It's like it's almost better to have nobody there like MSNBC," he added.

"I don't think that you can say that CNN is anything but fair," Collins argued in defense of her network. "I feel like I can speak with authority on this. I'm from Alabama. I'm from a very red state. I have a very conservative family. A lot of them are Trump voters. They watch my show every night, and I think they know that they can trust me, that, you know, we call bulls**t on every side, not just whatever leaning our audience may be and I think that's something that people actually want more of."

"And everyone who was speaking last night, it's not like they were all Democrats. I mean, Dana Bash, Jake Tapper, Abby Phillip, all my amazing colleagues. They come across giving analysis."

"They come across that way," Maher replied. "In a moment like that, it was like five to one. It always looks like five to one."

Internet sides with Bill Maher as he slams CNN

Netizens, especially conservatives took to X (formerly Twitter) to join Bill Maher in slamming CNN and Kaitlan Collins. They accused the network of having a liberal bias.

"Bill is right and she’s missing the point. Tune into CNN anytime and you’ll find consistent liberal bias with a conservative sprinkled in. And the hosts definitely come across as liberal and they constantly begin talk about Trump by first setting a narrative," one social media user said.

"'I can speak authoritatively I’m from Alabama' is the same energy as 'I have a black friend,'" said another.

"Kaitlin Collins is as delusional as everyone at CNN. Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are not Democrats??? WTF are they??? They are not Republicans!! And they sure aren't neutral!!! Does she need a mental evaluation?? Whatta DUMBA**!!" exclaimed one individual.

"Even their few viewers know they are not fair but watch to reinforce their own bias. Same as far right people watching certain fox shows. Journalism is dead," commented another.

"She appears to be utterly blind to the criticism. Oh well, he tried," noted one person.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.