Hollywood’s political divide is spilling into public view once again—this time between two longtime television figures.
Comedian Bill Maher revealed this week that his relationship with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has deteriorated to the point where the two may never speak again. According to Maher, the fallout stems from political disagreements tied directly to President Donald Trump.
Speaking on his podcast Club Random, Maher told comedian Adam Carolla that Kimmel is furious with him and has effectively cut off communication. Maher said he was surprised by the reaction and insisted he had not acted unfairly or maliciously.
“I don’t think I did anything wrong,” Maher explained, adding that civil disagreement should not automatically destroy personal relationships.
Political Intolerance on Display
The dispute reportedly began after Maher criticized comments made publicly by Kimmel’s wife last fall. She revealed that she emailed conservative relatives urging them not to vote for President Trump, later acknowledging that her message caused lasting family rifts.
Maher used the incident to highlight what he sees as a troubling cultural trend on the political left—an unwillingness to tolerate differing viewpoints. He contrasted that mindset with conservatives, who he argued are more willing to maintain relationships despite political differences.
“This is what really bothers me,” Maher said, noting that disagreement is now often treated as personal betrayal rather than healthy debate.
Maher: Comedy Shouldn’t Require Political Loyalty
Despite the public fallout, Maher said he still respects Kimmel personally and believes he is fundamentally a good person. However, Maher did not shy away from criticizing what he described as the sameness of modern late-night television, where hosts increasingly echo identical political narratives.
Maher also made clear that he refuses to blindly follow partisan talking points—whether from the left or the right. He said he has always mocked hypocrisy wherever it appears and has no intention of changing that approach.
“If that’s not good enough,” Maher suggested, “then something is very wrong with the culture.”
Friendship Hanging by a Thread
Maher revisited the issue in a later discussion with Ana Kasparian on The Young Turks, reiterating that he tried to handle the situation with restraint while remaining honest about his disagreement.
Still, he admitted the damage may be permanent.
Adding irony to the situation, Maher pointed out that both he and Kimmel share a professional history with Disney. Both were previously dismissed by ABC executives, and Kimmel eventually took over Maher’s former time slot—an example, Maher said, of how intertwined their careers once were.
Another Sign of Hollywood’s Growing Divide
Kimmel himself faced controversy last year after comments connected to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which resulted in a brief suspension before his show returned to air.
The public unraveling of Maher and Kimmel’s relationship reflects a broader reality in today’s entertainment industry: political disagreement—especially involving President Trump—now routinely ends friendships, careers, and professional alliances.
For many Americans, the episode serves as yet another example of how deeply politics has reshaped Hollywood—and how little room remains for respectful dissent.
