Bill Maher to join Charlie Kirk documentary, critiques media

Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher announced he will participate in an upcoming documentary about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, while criticizing media portrayals of Kirk as misleading. Maher made the remarks during the Monday, June 8, episode of his "Club Random" podcast.

Kirk, the co-founder of the conservative student group Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31.

Maher said he agreed to contribute a five-minute interview for the documentary after a taping on Friday, June 5. He clarified that his participation would not be an uncritical tribute. "I told them, 'Don't expect me to be just saying, you know, hagiography about Charlie. I liked him as a person. I'm glad I talked to him,'" Maher said. "I do not think he was a monster."

The host argued that Kirk's statements were often mischaracterized in public discourse. "If you look at his statements—I've read the full statements, of course, because everybody is only interested in getting points for their team—they mischaracterized them," Maher stated. He added that even after reading Kirk's full comments, he...