Bill Maher Faces Outrage for Comparing Ex-One Direction Singer to Boston Bomber
A web-exclusive “New Rule” Bill Maher posted to YouTube last week is getting lots of attention now from irate One Direction fans. The dual premise of the joke: 1) Maher is “sad” about Zayn Malik leaving 1D; and 2) Malik looks a lot like Dzhokar Tsarnaev, who is currently on trial for the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Well, the comedian most known for decrying easily-offended, politically-correct internet culture is now its target again, as many are outraged by Maher’s joke.
Here’s a sampling of the social media response, from both 1D fans and those distressed by Maher’s comparing the British-Pakistani singer to a terrorist:
We saw that Zayn was mentioned on Bill Maher's show but we refuse to post it because it's extremely rude and insulting to Zayn.
— Zayn Malik News (@ZaynJMNews) April 4, 2015
Why is everyone surprised bill maher compared Zayn to a terrorist. He's always been a racist islamophobic prick I actually pity him.
— Sarah Sami / Zayn :( (@sarah_samii) April 4, 2015
bill maher compared zayn to the bosten marathon bomber…when are people going to realise terrorist jokes are disgusting & not funny at all
— 116 (@taxistyles) April 4, 2015
When Bill Maher makes a racist joke about Zayn but doesn't get fired
— zayn (@aspiremalik) April 5, 2015
Why is bill maher trying to be "funny" by comparing zayn to someone who killed innocent people at the Boston marathon..so sick.
— kimmie (@cloudszilo) April 5, 2015
Just cause we're mad at zayn, doesn't mean we're not gonna defend him against racism and islamophobia. What Bill Maher said was NOT ok…
— gem | till the end (@adorabIehaz) April 5, 2015
Bill Maher just proves the fact that he's an ignorant racist. I am truly offended for my sake as a Muslim and for Zayn's sake. Disgusting.
— s loves h,,! (@97tmh) April 5, 2015
bill maher: "where were u during the boston marathon zayn"
zayn: "performing on a world tour to millions more than will ever watch ur show"
— addie (@apieceofhes) April 5, 2015
it doesn't matter if u HATE zayn, bill maher wasn't just being racist towards him but thousands of ppl
— daddy savagina (@pizzapopniall) April 5, 2015
OKAY WHOEVER BILL MAHER IS I HOPE HE LOSES HIS TV SHOW FOR MAKING FUN OF ZAYN AND AN ENTIRE RELIGION SUCH DISRESPECT #RespectForZayn
— paula (@riseagainstommo) April 5, 2015
If terrorist means saving millions of lives then yeah. right, he sure is a terrorist. #RespectForZayn pic.twitter.com/6sai6AI5i8
— We Are 1D Fan Club (@WeAre1DFanClub) April 5, 2015
""ZAYN IS A TERRORIST"
"ITS A JOKE , RELAX"
AND THERE GOES YOUR CARRER
#RespectForZayn pic.twitter.com/X4QIWfUz4x
— ONE DIRECTION (@all1d) April 5, 2015
The fact that calling Zayn a terrorist was allowed on tv just shows how ignorant humanity really is
#RespectForZayn pic.twitter.com/rBnjqiDNeu
— One Direction (@1DsUniverse) April 5, 2015
IF YOU CAN'T RESPECT HIM AS A MUSLIM, RESPECT HIM AS A HUMAN
#RespectForZayn pic.twitter.com/1fI1oFUgOt
— Harrystyles. (@wthfharry) April 5, 2015
You get the idea.
There’s even a petition on Change.org with over 3000 signatures, demanding Maher apologize.
Watch Maher’s joke here, via HBO:
[h/t The Guardian]
[image via screengrab]
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