Greater than a decade after their viral debate on the “Actual Time” present, Ben Affleck and Bill Maher stay at odds concerning Islam, and their confrontation stays one of the crucial memorable moments within the present’s historical past.
Whereas podcaster Sam Harris has lengthy since “buried the hatchet” with the film star, Maher just lately revealed that the Oscar winner continues to reject his invitation and reveals little interest in making a visitor look on his present.
Ben Affleck’s transfer to fully shun Invoice Maher’s invitation has now earned him heavy reward on-line, with many slamming the speak present host’s stance.
The “Actual Time” present host just lately had a dialog with comic Max Amini on the August 17 episode of “Membership Random,” the place he mentioned his well-known disagreement with Affleck.
In keeping with Entertainment Weekly, Maher revealed that Affleck has constantly turned down invites to return to the present and cited their decade-old encounter on TV as the explanation for the rejection.
“I like him, however we simply are gonna disagree on that one,” Maher mentioned. He added that there’s a chance the duo may discover frequent floor ought to they meet and speak privately.
“Perhaps if I talked to him privately, or it’s been, you recognize, 12 years, perhaps I feel there’s a center floor,” he defined.
Maher additionally famous how in style the second was. He talked about how usually individuals deliver it as much as him, evaluating it to all his different TV moments.
“Extra individuals point out that episode to me than something,” he mentioned and acknowledged that “it wasn’t the most effective episode we ever had,” however it stays one of the crucial memorable moments on the present.
Followers Reward The Actor For Shunning Invoice Maher’s Invitations
Invoice Maher has been haunted by this for over a decade when he was completely embarrassed by Ben Affleck. Who was raised and taught properly by his good mom, Chris Affleck. RIP pic.twitter.com/L4vgwkXBYk https://t.co/02Aujeyw7u
— Roy Drones Jr🪼 (@chiweethedog) August 20, 2026
The claims made by Maher have since gone viral on social media, prompting a wave of reward and assist for Affleck’s choices.
One put up on X learn, “I keep in mind that episode of Actual Time very properly as a result of it was the ultimate straw for me. I used to be DONE with Maher after that. Good on Ben Affleck.”
“Butt Damage Invoice nonetheless chastened by rejection of Unhealthy-ss Ben,” one other acknowledged, whereas a 3rd wrote, “BASED. Further BASED factors if Ben begins being as brave as his daughter with regards to decreasing viral transmission.”
A fourth individual slammed Maher, saying, “Sorry, don’t purchase it, no method Maher invitations the man on once more after he embarrassed him so badly 12 years in the past.”
“Respect to Ben Affleck for the boycott, and for standing with the Muslim neighborhood,” yet one more particular person mentioned of the snub on X.
Invoice Maher And Ben Affleck’s Conflict Over Islam
The encounter occurred throughout a 2014 episode of “Actual Time,” when Maher and his visitors, Affleck, Harris, Michael Steele, and Nicholas Kristof, had been discussing ISIS and radical Islam throughout the panel portion of the present.
Throughout the present, Maher criticized Islam, arguing that it’s “the one faith that acts just like the mafia that can f-cking kill you in case you say the improper factor,” making a comparability between the faith and arranged crime.
Harris questioned using the time period Islamophobia and its legitimacy as a critique in opposition to individuals attacking the religion, calling Islam the “motherload of dangerous concepts.”
Affleck instantly rejected their evaluation of the faith, calling it “racist.” He identified that they had been criticizing extremists and making use of that very same condemnation to the entire faith and its adherents.
“How about greater than a billion individuals who aren’t fanatical, who don’t punch girls, who simply need to go to highschool, have some sandwiches, pray 5 occasions a day, and don’t do any of the stuff you’re saying of all Muslims?” Affleck questioned.
The confrontation rapidly garnered consideration on-line, changing into one of the crucial talked-about TV segments on the time.
The Actor Displays On His ‘Emotional’ Response Throughout The Present
In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, the “Gone Woman” actor spoke concerning the trade, noting that his response had been real. “I like a very good debate, and I get very energized by it,” he mentioned.
Affleck continued, saying, “On ‘Actual Time,’ I feel individuals may inform I had a real emotional response as a result of I strongly consider that nobody needs to be stereotyped based mostly on their race or faith. It’s one of the crucial basic tenets of liberal thought.”
The unique confrontation additionally led some commentators to sentence Affleck for defending the Islamic religion from what they believed to be professional criticism of extremist ideology. Others praised him for difficult broad generalizations of a religion that billions of individuals adhere to globally.
The trade turned a part of a wider dialog surrounding Islam, Islamic stereotypes, and criticisms directed on the faith.
Ben Affleck And Invoice Maher Are Nonetheless Not On Good Phrases
Maher’s newest feedback point out that the bone of rivalry between each males stays unresolved.
Not like Maher, Harris, who was additionally a goal of Affleck’s criticisms throughout the present, has since reportedly patched issues up with the “Batman” actor.
In keeping with Globe Magazine, throughout an look on Maher’s “Membership Random” in 2022, Harris revealed that he and Affleck had privately settled their variations following the explosive confrontation.
Maher referenced the reconciliation in his latest remarks on the present, noting that he has not but had the identical alternative to make amends with the actor, displaying that the incident has performed out in a different way for the 2.
The renewed consideration on the confrontation 12 years later illustrates simply how memorable it was, and it has since develop into part of the present’s public id.
