Bill Maher tells Democrats to end partisan sulking ahead of America 250: ‘Go to the party’

WASHINGTON, DC: Bill Maher urged Democrats to set aside political frustration with President Donald Trump and take part in upcoming celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary, arguing that patriotism should not depend on who occupies the White House.

During the closing monologue of ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ on Friday, Maher criticized what he described as growing reluctance among some Democrats to engage in Independence Day celebrations because of Trump’s presidency. While taking aim at both political parties, he encouraged liberals to remember that the Fourth of July is about the country, not the president.

Maher says America belongs to everyone, not just the president

Maher acknowledged that Donald Trump often blurs the line between himself and the country but argued Democrats should not reinforce that perception.

“This 4th of July, let’s all celebrate the genius American idea of checks and balances, which, yes, is threatened and, yes, is taking on water, but is still afloat,” Maher said in a post shared on X.

“I’m not saying Trump doesn’t want to muddy the distinction between himself and the country,” Maher said. “He sure as s--- does.”

“That’s what wannabe authoritarians do,” he continued. “They try to blur the line. Don’t be an accomplice.”

 "The left half of the country fears he'll make the anniversary about him," Maher said. "Of course he will."

‘Go to the party’: Maher urges Democrats to celebrate July 4

The TV host pushed back on the liberal argument that the country should not be celebrated due to dissatisfaction with the current president.

“The left half of the country fears he’ll make the anniversary about him,” Maher said. “Of course he will.”

He went on to argue that refusing to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary because of political disagreements would be counterproductive.

Maher stressed that Trump is only “a temporary caretaker of America.”

“The question is whether we will all help [Trump] do it. We shouldn’t,” he continued. “This is about America. He isn’t America. He’s a temporary caretaker of America — America’s employee.”

“You can’t take back the flag in an hour if the rest of the time you treat patriotism as something vaguely embarrassing,” Maher said.

Maher urges participation in America 250 celebrations

Maher’s remarks came as the United States prepares for large-scale celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary, with President Donald Trump promising an expanded Independence Day celebration this year.

“Go to the party. It’s a big celebration,” Maher said.

“You probably won’t run into him. This country’s 3.8 million square miles, and that’s without Greenland.”

“Especially since, for all of Trump’s nonsense, America is still here,” Maher added. “Still incredibly prosperous by world standards, still the place people want to get to, still free enough to let me put the word nonsense next to the president’s name.”

Maher also argued that, despite political disagreements, the United States remains a country worth celebrating.

He concluded by urging Americans not to surrender patriotism because of partisan politics.

“The message that most threatens authoritarians isn’t ‘America sucks.’ It’s ‘America is ours too,’” Maher said. “Every election year, Democrats seem to remember patriotism for about an hour at their convention when they’re trying to win back swing voters.”

Closing his monologue with one final appeal, Maher said, “So come on, it’s the Fourth. Don’t let this year’s Fourth become another excuse for partisan sulking. Let it be an excuse to be really hungover on the fifth.”