Bill Maher Shares Thoughts on U.S. House Passing Bill to Ban TikTok

Bill Maher Speaks Out on TikTok Ban Amid U.S. House Passing Bill

Amid the U.S. House passing a bill this week that would ban TikTok, Bill Maher wasted no time sharing his thoughts on the controversial matter during the latest episode of HBO’s Real Time.

The bill, which passed by a vote of 352-65 in the House, would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app if its China-based owner, ByteDance, doesn’t sell it. Lawmakers have expressed concerns that the company’s current ownership structure is a national security threat. President Joe Biden has indicated he will sign the bill if it passes the Senate.

During his monologue, Maher joked about China’s role in manufacturing and keeping kids “stupid,” highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding TikTok’s ownership and potential ban.

Later in the show, Maher discussed the issue with Republican Rep. Nancy Mace and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, questioning the priorities of Congress in focusing on TikTok rather than larger issues like artificial intelligence.

Maher expressed concerns about the implications of AI, citing the potential for a trillionaire AI entrepreneur and the State Department’s warning of an extinction-level threat posed by AI.

The conversation on Real Time also touched on the First Amendment and free speech implications of banning TikTok, with some politicians opposing the bill on these grounds.

Overall, Maher’s commentary on the TikTok ban sheds light on the broader implications of technology and the need for a more comprehensive approach to regulating emerging technologies like AI.