Bill Maher on Friday responded to the banishment of Infowars founder Alex Jones from social media platforms by invoking free speech, a concept liberals are “supposed to be for.”
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Although Maher made it clear that he has no love for Jones, he took issue with the decision to ban him and his sites. (RELATED: First They Came For Alex Jones)
“If you’re a liberal, you’re supposed to be for free speech,” said Maher. “That’s free speech for the speech you hate. That’s what free speech means. We’re losing the thread of the concepts that are important to this country. If you care about the real American shit or you don’t. And if you do, it goes for every side. I don’t like Alex Jones, but Alex Jones gets to speak. Everybody gets to speak.”
“Sure, but he doesn’t necessarily get to speak on Facebook or Twitter,” said Weekly Standard editor Charlie Sykes.
“I get that,” Maher responded, adding later that “private enterprise doesn’t have any obligation” to post what they consider offensive messages, but the HBO host also noted that the best “way to get rid of hateful things” is to allow freedom.