Islamic activist organization demands Democratic senator apologize for recent Bill Maher appearance
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) demanded Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., apologize on Monday for appearing on "Real Time with Bill Maher" because of the host's "long history [of] anti-Muslim bigotry and anti-Arab racism."
"Your participation in Mr. Maher's show came just days after you publicly criticized a Muslim public figure for associating with Hasan Piker, whom you accused of engaging in antisemitism, which he has denied," a letter from CAIR read. "Meanwhile, Bill Maher has called Arabs dangerous to women, claimed that ISIS accurately represents most Muslims, argued that Islam itself is the 'problem' and never apologized or retracted these or other hateful remarks."
The letter continued, "Given this record, your decision to appear as a featured guest on his platform — without publicly challenging or distancing yourself from his rhetoric — sends a deeply troubling message to your Muslim and Arab constituents. It suggests a double standard in which some forms of bigotry are condemned while others are overlooked or implicitly tolerated."
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In a statement after releasing the letter, CAIR called on Slotkin to denounce her appearance and Maher in support of the Muslim community.
"The double standards that American Muslims face, even from a senator who represents one of our nation’s largest Muslim populations, are truly remarkable. If consistency means anything to Senator Slotkin — and if she believes hate against any of her constituents is unacceptable — she must denounce Bill Maher’s bigotry and apologize for embracing him," CAIR said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Slotkin's office for comment. Fox News Digital also reached out to HBO for comment about CAIR's statements on Maher.
Slotkin appeared on Maher's show Friday night, when the two discussed several topics including the ongoing war with Iran. Slotkin voiced her disapproval of President Donald Trump launching military strikes against Iran, while Maher criticized the Democratic Party's nearly uniform opposition to the war despite Iran's past actions.
"Iran has been attacking the West for a long time, including the ally that is our most important ally in the world, and that is Israel. It's not NATO," Maher said.
Slotkin also appeared on an "Overtime" panel with Maher, Stephen A. Smith and Laura Coates. During the episode, the panel discussed the growing level of antisemitism in the Democratic Party when Slotkin defended not taking money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
"Long before October 7, I stopped taking AIPAC money, not because of Israel or any other issue like that, but because they were giving money to people who had been participating in January 6th... AIPAC, they give money to both Democrats and Republicans and people who had been involved in inciting January 6, they were giving money to," Slotkin said.
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Maher called out the Democratic Party for refusing to push back against influencers who "don't know s---" and "learn everything about Israel on TikTok."
"Their leaders are not standing up and saying, 'Kids, you don't know what's going on here. Every war Israel has fought is a war of defense,'" Maher said.