Bill Maher says Trump is 'right' about hostile rhetoric but still calls him a 'threat to democracy'

WASHINGTON, DC: Bill Maher admitted that Donald Trump was correct in identifying the hostile rhetoric aimed at him before declaring that the former president was "the worst person to make this case" during a panel discussion on the Friday, September 20 episode of 'Real Time'. 

The late-night host made the remark while discussing the second assassination attempt against the GOP nominee, as per Fox News.

A man, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, allegedly aimed a scoped SKS-style rifle at Trump while he was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach on September 15.

He was just 300-500 yards away from Trump when he was spotted by a Secret Service agent. Routh fled in a car when an agent opened fire, but was soon arrested while driving on I-95. 

Back in July, Trump faced the first attempt on his life when Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop while the former president was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A bullet grazed the MAGA spearhead's right ear before the shooter was neutralized.

Bill Maher explains why Donald Trump is the worst person to make a case for hostile rhetoric

Bill Maher told his guests on Friday, "[Trump] says, 'Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at.' And then, of course, in true Trumpian fashion, always the most unself-aware person in the universe, goes on to say, 'When they’re the ones that are destroying the country.' Also, the kind of rhetoric that would make a borderline person shoot at you."

"But, I mean, he's right. Rhetoric has consequences, but he is possibly the worst person to make this case," added the comedian. 

New York Times columnist Bret Stephens was in agreement with Maher's premise but stated that the left calling Trump the "end of democracy" was "not helping" their argument.

"I disagree. That's a dumb argument. That's [MAGA's] argument, which is that 'You guys are saying Trump is a threat to democracy.' But he is a threat to democracy!" shot back Maher, adding, "The answer can't be that we can't say what's true. I want to say what's true, and the left has to do that too."

He later explained that Trump was a "bad president" not because of his policies, which keep changing with administrations, but for the fact that he "doesn't concede elections."

Internet disagrees with Bill Maher on Donald Trump being a threat to democracy

While Bill Maher maintains that Donald Trump is indeed a threat to democracy, netizens, especially supporters of the GOP nominee, don't seem to agree with him.

One wrote, "They say Trump’s a threat, but the real danger is ignoring the voice of the people!" Another stated, "Trump is NOT a threat to Democracy…Trump is a threat to the deep state regime. We are resisting the Deep State. Trump is our last best hope to escape them."

"Trump is a threat to Democrats’ power and nothing more," declared a person, while someone else added, "Democrats are a threat to democracy."

"He's a threat to democrats, not democracy. They love conflating the two words," expressed an individual. 

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.