Bill Maher Criticizes BuzzFeed and HuffPost as ‘Peak Woke’

Comedian Bill Maher criticized BuzzFeed and HuffPost during a recent episode of his podcast “Club Random” while speaking with Byron Allen, the owner of both publications. Maher referred to these outlets as “peak woke.” Allen mentioned his recent acquisition of BuzzFeed and his existing ownership of HuffPost.

Maher expressed his grievances, specifically naming HuffPost for its approach after Arianna Huffington’s departure. “Once Arianna left and it became the most woke,” Maher remarked, highlighting his perception of the publication’s shift in editorial stance.

All these places have been horrible to me,” Maher said. “The purity on the left is what I hate. HuffPost is worse because I’m not pure by their standards, and their beliefs often come across as unfounded. But I don’t hold grudges; I don’t even read it.

Maher criticized both BuzzFeed and HuffPost for employing what he referred to as “millennial nepo babies.” He described them as disconnected from broader American sentiment.

Allen, who became the CEO of BuzzFeed after investing $120 million as reported by Variety, mentioned his short tenure at the publications. He acknowledged reading his own outlets, stating, “I’m there two or three weeks. At the end of the day, I do read it.” He explained the importance of understanding the content spectrum without becoming ensnared by it, a lesson he learned from Al Masini, creator of “Entertainment Tonight.”

HuffPost faced criticism earlier this year for a social media post regarding discomfort in rooting for the USA in the Olympics. The article, titled “There’s a Name for the Discomfort You’re Feeling Watching the Olympics Right Now,” was shared on platform X. It noted conflicting feelings between pride in American athletes and dissatisfaction with U.S. government actions, referencing events such as the Minneapolis incident involving Alex Pretti.

The article included quotes from Olympians like Hunter Hess, who voiced discontent with current U.S. policies, saying, “Wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything going on in the U.S.”

Maher and Allen’s discussion highlights ongoing debates about media narratives and political stances within the industry.