On his show "Real Time with Bill Maher," the host discussed the findings from a Los Angeles Times article about the rise in crime rates in Portland, Oregon, and how it's straining the city's progressive ideals. He noted that many from the right have been quick to point out how these cities with climbing crime figures are all run by Democrats.
February 13, 2023
The LA Times uncovered that in the last three years, the number of homeless individuals in the metro area has risen from approximately 4,000 to at least 6,600. Gun violence has tripled in the city, and homicides have escalated from 36 in 2019 to a record-breaking 97 in 2020. Additionally, lower-level crimes have increased, too; in 2022, over 11,000 vehicles were stolen, compared to 6,500 in 2019.
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Maher's guest, CNN contributor Paul Begala concurred, saying, "I want a Democrat to stand up and say, you know something? Some people belong in jail," to which only a few audience members clapped.
Maher made a joke saying, "One clap for that! I think that’s very interesting," as other audience members began to clap as well.
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Maher then stated, "Let’s just pause there. One person is like, yes, some people in jail and everybody else is going, no, they don’t, nobody belongs in jail."
In recent months, the comedian has faced criticism for expressing his opinion against some Democratic policies, such as gender transitions for children and the concept of critical race theory.
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In January, Bill Maher questioned why Democrats seemed to be determined to support teaching children about sexual identity, asking, "Why is this the hill the Democratic Party wants to die on?"
Maher, however, has not refrained from attacking Republicans. He recently denounced Elon Musk for supporting the GOP during the 2022 midterms.
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Bill Maher proclaimed his admiration for Elon Musk this week but couldn't agree with him when he announced his intention to vote Republican. Maher said, "I can't go there with him because of what I just said, because of where the big issues are, but it's troubling to me that a guy like that who said, 'I voted mostly Democrat for the longest time and now I'm switching.' I mean, I'm not going to say is a stupid man."
Maher stated that he is not a supporter of the GOP, yet he admitted that numerous Democratic agendas are pushing people to drift away from the party.
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