Bill Maher’s ‘Trump’ take is what America desperately needs

OPINION:

“The love of many will grow cold.”

Jesus Christ made this proclamation while talking with his disciples about what would happen near the “end of the age.”

While there’s no telling where humanity is in this prophetic end-times dynamic, one reality is perfectly clear: People have become demonstrably vile, particularly in their rhetoric and willingness to cheer on, or even celebrate, the unthinkable.

We saw this on full display as some gleefully celebrated the assassination of conservative and Christian commentator Charlie Kirk in September. Some liberals and other foes of Kirk gleefully responded to his murder online and in other spaces, delivering a disturbing reaction that left many wondering what was driving such palpable societal rot.

But the most recent example of this insanity came after the terrifying shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where accused gunman Cole Tomas Allen tried to storm security in an effort to slaughter President Trump and other administration officials.

One Ohio teacher was fired after the failed assassination attempt for posting sentiments on social media expressing disappointment that Mr. Trump survived the attack.

And in Wisconsin, a high school social studies teacher was placed on administrative leave after the discovery of a disturbing social media post stating that past presidential assassins would be disappointed by Mr. Allen’s inability to carry out his demonic plans.

“I am not impressed with recent presidential assassins,” the educator wrote. “It’s f—-ing embarrassing! Booth, Guiteau, Czolgosz, Oswald must all be spinning in their graves! MAGAA (make Americans great assassins again)! Sad!”

Then there’s another official out in Wisconsin who posted, “Ugh. They missed again,” sparking further outrage.

These posts are not only horrific but they also point to a frigidness with which we must contend. When politics becomes so worshipped that people no longer see humanity, we have a deep and profound heart problem that must be addressed.

Disliking — or even loathing — a politician is one thing, but pining for or rejoicing over that person’s slaughter is unimaginable. It’s also deeply un-American when one considers the absolute pandemonium and pain an assassination would create in an already fractured and disconnected nation.

This is why comedian Bill Maher once again deserves accolades for his willingness to call this sinister behavior out and appropriately label those who engage in it. On a recent episode of “Real Time,” Mr. Maher offered a candid assessment of those wishing death upon the president.

“Let’s get the ugly news about the political violence out of the way first,” Mr. Maher said during the episode. “If you’re one of these people – and there’s many in this country – who watched that and was disappointed the president wasn’t killed … you’re not a good person. Or a smart person.”

The first portion of Mr. Maher’s comments are rooted in common sense and decency, though the latter portion about “smarts” should be further dissected. Much of the chaos and irrational hatred surrounding Mr. Trump is rooted in progressives’ years-long rhetorical campaign consisting of laziness and dangerous rhetoric.

The incessant obsession with comparing the president to German dictator Adolf Hitler and constant fear-mongering saying his presidency will essentially implode America has created a collective derangement that can lead to shootings such as this one.

Mr. Maher plainly addressed these dangerous sentiments.

“Certainly, Trump has often not been good, decent or kind, but he’s not Hitler,” he said, noting the danger that can come from such labels. “This is why I was against this ’He’s Hitler’ bulls—-.”

Furthermore, Mr. Maher astutely noted that those who have been led to believe Mr. Trump is “Hitler McPedophile” are, due to the intense rhetoric, prone to believing he must then be killed.

“That’s the mentality they have,” he said, again emphasizing the dangers of such an evil mentality.

This isn’t the first time Mr. Maher has taken this position. In September, following the assassination of Kirk, the comedian delivered a passionate plea for people to stop comparing political foes to Hitler.

Mr. Maher called comparisons of Mr. Trump to Hitler “an insult to everybody in the Holocaust,” but he went far beyond that to explain the deeper problems embedded in such lazy and problematic rhetoric.

“Calling somebody Hitler makes it a lot easier to justify things like assassinations,” he said.

Mr. Maher is right. In an era where people feel emboldened by social media and hot takes, there’s less self-restraint than ever. At the same time, there’s a powder keg of chaos and uncertainty in politics and culture, creating a troubling dynamic.

It’s up to each of us to watch our rhetoric and better express ourselves, so we can temper the internal storms that continue to lead to so much dysfunction. Fortunately, in this case, no one was seriously injured.

• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is also the author of four books.