Bill Maher described HuffPost and BuzzFeed as "woke" and "un-American" during an appearance on the Rising show [1, 2].
Maher's comments target the ideological direction of digital media and the influence of progressive activism on news reporting. The critique comes as the outlets transition under the ownership of Byron Allen, a billionaire media mogul.
Speaking directly to Allen, Maher said the outlets are "horrible" and "too woke" [2]. He said the publications represent the "woke left" and have become "un-American" in their approach to journalism [1, 2].
The discussion occurred on the Rising program, where Maher addressed the current state of media bias. He said the shift toward progressive ideology has compromised the quality and objectivity of the reporting found at both BuzzFeed and HuffPost [1].
Byron Allen, the new owner of the outlets, was present during the critique. Maher's remarks highlight a growing divide within the U.S. media landscape between traditional journalistic standards and the influence of social justice movements, a tension that often manifests in public disputes over "woke" culture.
Maher has frequently criticized the left in recent years, saying that extreme ideological purity hinders productive political discourse. In this instance, he positioned the two digital media companies as primary examples of that trend [1, 2].
“"horrible" and "too woke"”
This exchange underscores the ongoing tension between traditional media ownership and the ideological branding of digital news platforms. By criticizing these outlets in front of their new owner, Maher is highlighting a perceived need for a pivot away from progressive activism toward a more centrist or traditional editorial approach to regain broad appeal in the U.S. media market.
