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Liberal comedian Bill Maher used the "n-word" on his HBO show within earshot of Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), and liberals are now attacking the Republican for not being sufficiently horrified.
Black Lives Matter leader Deray McKesson tweeted that Bill Maher had "to go" over what he said. "There are no explanations that make this acceptable," he adding, "why did the audience think it was okay to laugh? And Ben Sasse doesn't even flinch. What is happening in the world?"
And why did the audience think it was okay to laugh? And Ben Sasse doesn't even flinch. What is happening in the world?
— deray mckesson (@deray) June 3, 2017
The joke came as Sasse was innocently inviting Maher to his home state of Nebraska.
"I wish I was in Nebraska more," Maher said.
"You're welcome!" Sasse responded. "We'd like to have you work in the fields with us!"
"Work in the fields?" Maher chided, "Senator, I'm a house n****r."
Audience reaction to the joke was mixed — some seemed to be uneasy with the joke, but they were overtaken by the laughter and applause from those who enjoyed the jest.
Bill Maher just said the n word, @BenSasse didn't look horrified, and the audience applauded. pic.twitter.com/kFAs1S3dyM
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) June 3, 2017
Liberals have taken the opportunity to attack the senator, even though he had no part in the epithet being used by Maher, who is himself an unabashed liberal.
Joy Reid is an MSNBC host, and she excoriated both Maher and Sasse.
Two things we keep re-learning: 1. There is no n-word pass. (They are all imaginary); 2. Race is still the #1 source of American discomfort.— Joy Reid (@Joy Reid) 1496463925.0
Maher's casual n-bomb is a reminder of truth #1. It's also the logical conclusion of the anti-PC dogma of the ppl umbraging the most tonite.
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) June 3, 2017
.@BenSasse's "oh crap, this clip is gonna be in all the 2020 ads and end my presidential hopes" grimace is Exhibit A of the second truth.
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) June 3, 2017
Symone Sanders is the former press secretary for Bernie Sanders:
Others criticized the occurrence on social media:
Bill Maher actually just said, "I'm a house nigga," in response to Sen. Ben Sasse inviting him to work in the Nebraska fields. This mofo!— Old Picture of Dorianna Gray (@Old Picture of Dorianna Gray) 1496455954.0
What the f**k @RealTimers & @billmaher? Comedy is comedy, but this is #racist bullsh*t. @BenSasse prove he has no i… https://t.co/JtvyzV4MzS— Kasey (@Kasey) 1496461503.0
Some pointed out that Sasse did appear to cringe momentarily at the joke and draw back. On the other hand, Daily Beast editor Marlow Stern said that he "laughed his face off."
