Comedian Bill Maher joined the chorus of those knocking Caitlyn Jenner’s bid to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in the pending California recall election.
During an episode of his HBO show “Real Time” on Friday night, Maher seemed dismayed over the fact Jenner would be running as a Republican given the GOP’s stance against transgender ideology.
“How about this for news: Caitlyn Jenner is running for governor. I know you think of her as a reality-show star, but come on, people change,” Maher said, as reported by The Daily Beast, which denounced Maher’s quip as “transphobic.” “She is trans, rested, and ready. She’s got a great slogan: take the ‘sack’ out of ‘Sacramento.’”
As to Jenner’s Republican bona fides, Maher likened it to Jenner’s role in the Kardashian family.
“I love that about her. Wasn’t always sure about the man-woman thing, but low capital-gains taxes, born that way!” Maher joked.
“And a lot of people, of course, are saying, ‘Isn’t it strange for a trans woman to be in a party that is passing anti-trans laws all over the country?'” Maher added. “And Caitlyn said, ‘Yeah, I get that. It’s just something about being in a party that doesn’t respect me that makes me feel like I’m home with the Kardashians.”
In the announcement for governor, Jenner knocked the Democratic Party’s stranglehold on the once Golden State of California.
“California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality,” Jenner said. “But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision.”
Jenner likewise ripped Gavin Newsom for high taxes and his crippling lockdown of the state.
“Taking on entrenched Sacramento politicians and the special interests that fund them requires a fighter who isn’t afraid to do what is right. I am a proven winner and the only outsider who can put an end to Gavin Newsom’s disastrous time as governor,” said Jenner.
“Small businesses have been devastated because of the over-restrictive lockdown. An entire generation of children have lost a year of education and have been prevented from going back to school, participating in activities, or socializing with their friends,” Jenner added.
Despite Jenner’s transgenderism, LGBTQ activists have not embraced Jenner’s candidacy. Trans activist Charlotte Clymer, for instance, denounced Jenner as an “unqualified hack.”
“Caitlyn Jenner is a deeply unqualified hack who doesn’t care about anyone but herself,” tweeted Clymer. “Her views are terrible. She is a horrible candidate.”
“Caitlyn Jenner has no real support. I don’t care about her candidacy. I do care about the ways in which her asinine views will be weaponized against trans people and the ways in which transphobia will go unchecked. This is purely a vanity campaign, and it’s incredibly selfish,” added Clymer. “Caitlyn Jenner’s only real political position is doing whatever it takes to boost Caitlyn Jenner, and she doesn’t care who gets hurt along the way. I wish this didn’t need to be said, but undoubtedly it does: whatever you may think of Caitlyn Jenner–and I do NOT think kindly of her–please remember there are numerous valid critiques of her without turning to transphobia. Please think before you post. Please.”
Related: ‘I’m In!’: Caitlyn Jenner Announces Republican Run For CA Governor