Bill Maher says he stopped touring as a stand-up comedian because he fears being shot in today’s charged political climate.
Bill Maher has revealed that he no longer performs stand-up comedy due to fears for his personal safety in the current political environment.
Speaking on his Club Random podcast with guest Patton Oswalt, Maher said he ended touring in 2024 because he was “tired of the travel” and worried he “could get shot by the left or the right” in the United States’ polarized climate.
The 69-year-old comedian, known for his provocative political commentary on HBO’s Real Time, also admitted frustrations with ticket sales, saying he was “tired of being twice as funny as people who were selling twice as many tickets” and noting that weekly TV exposure reduced demand for his live shows.
Instead of facing divided audiences, Maher said he is content to focus on his talk show and podcast. He also reflected on generational shifts in comedy and music, saying he doesn’t “get” much of what younger fans enjoy but understands he isn’t “supposed to get it.”
The comments follow Maher’s recent controversial praise of Donald Trump and his reaction to heightened political violence, including the September killing of Charlie Kirk.