• Bill Maher slams SNL for perpetuating “zombie lie” about GOP racism.
• Conservative critics praise Maher’s pushback against liberal media bias.
• SNL’s recent sketches mock Trump, Vance without evidence, Maher says.
• Maher warns liberal comedy risks alienating moderate viewers.
• Debate intensifies over SNL’s influence on public perception.

A Brewing Media Storm

A scathing critique from an unlikely source has ignited a firestorm, challenging the narrative peddled by one of America’s longest-running comedy shows. As conservatives rally, questions mount about the role of satire in shaping political discourse.

Maher’s Bold Stand

On his May 16, 2025, episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the outspoken host took aim at Saturday Night Live (SNL), accusing the show of pushing a “zombie lie” that Republicans are inherently racist. Maher, known for his liberal leanings but recent critiques of progressive overreach, called out SNL’s recent sketches mocking President Donald Trump and Vice 

President JD Vance as lazy and divisive. “They’re not helping,” Maher declared, warning that such narratives risk alienating viewers and fueling polarization.

Conservative commentators, including Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, seized on Maher’s remarks. “Finally, someone on the left admits SNL’s bias is out of control,” Ingraham said on The Ingraham Angle. She pointed to a recent SNL skit portraying Vance as a bigot, despite his public stance on unity and economic populism.

Watch Ingraham’s take on SNL’s bias here.

SNL’s Pattern of Partisanship

Maher’s critique comes amid growing conservative frustration with SNL’s portrayal of GOP figures. Posts on X echo this sentiment, with users like @PatriotVoice1776 writing, “SNL hasn’t been funny since the ’90s—it’s just a DNC propaganda machine now.” Maher argued that SNL’s reliance on outdated stereotypes ignores policy-driven GOP voters, citing Trump’s 2024 landslide as evidence of broader appeal. He urged comedians to “punch up, not down” and focus on substantive critiques.

A Call for Fairness

The backlash has sparked a broader debate about media influence. Conservative strategist Amy Kremer told Fox News, “SNL’s lazy attacks hurt discourse more than they help. Maher’s right—stop the lies.” While SNL has not responded, its ratings have dipped, with a 2025 Nielsen report showing a 12% drop in viewership among independents.

Maher’s warning resonates with conservatives who see liberal media as out of touch. As the nation navigates a polarized climate, his call for honest satire could push outlets like SNL to rethink their approach—or face growing irrelevance.