Bill Maher has addressed the recent controversy surrounding the Clint Eastwood film "American Sniper."
The film -- based on the autobiography of Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history -- broke box office records when it raked in $90.2 million over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. But it has divided viewers and critics alike in its exploration of war and patriotism.
On "Real Time With Bill Maher" on Friday, the host criticized the picture for what he views as a lack of nuance.
"'Hurt Locker' made 17 million because it was a little ambiguous and thoughtful," Maher said. "['American Sniper'] is just 'American hero! He's a psychopath patriot, and we love him.'"
The host then went on to criticize sections of Kyle's autobiography, including a part in which Maher says he writes, "I hate the damn savages," in reference to the Iraqis.
"Eisenhower once said I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can," Maher said. "I just don't see this guy in the same league as Eisenhower. If you're a Christian, 'I hate the damn savages' doesn't seem like a Christian thing to say."
Wayne Brady
This July, Wayne Brady went on Aisha Tyler's podcast to discuss his disapproval of Bill Maher's description of President Obama as "Your Wayne Brady," saying he would "Slap the sh*t" out of the comedian.
Donald Trump
In his most recent feud, Donald Trump is suing Bill Maher for $5 million after the comedian joked on "The Tonight Show" that he would give Trump the sum if he proved his father wasn't an ape. Recently on “Fox & Friends," Trump said, "He promised me $5 million for charity if I provided certain information. Well, I provided the information. He didn’t pay. So today I sue Bill Maher for $5 million for charity.”
Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin is no stranger to Bill Maher's antics. Many believed, however, that he had taken a joke too far during a stand-up routine in 2011 in which he called her a "c---" and a "dumb twat." He later defended his viewpoint when media compared his remarks against Rush Limbaugh's use of the word "slut" when describing Sandra Fluke.
Ann Romney
Bill Maher faced bipartisan criticism this past election season when he not only agreed with Hilary Rosen's statement that Ann Romney, "has never worked a day in her life," but furthered it by saying that Rosen meant to say Romney, "has never gotten her a** out of the house to work."
Rush Limbaugh
After Rush Limbaugh faced extreme criticism in regards to his disparaging comments about Sandra Fluke in March 2012, Maher received criticism, from both sides, for his defensive remark stating, "I don't like it that people are made to disappear when they say [...] something you don't like. That's America. Sometimes you're made to feel uncomfortable, okay?" But this comment was clearly not meant to be taken as reconciliatory, as Maher called Limbaugh a "fat f**ck, whose not funny", immediately after.
Bill Maher Takes On Dinesh D'Souza Over Anti-Obama Documentary 2016
On his show this September, Bill Maher squared off with Dinesh D'Souza, the face of a new anti-Obama documentary. Maher challenged D'Souza's claims that Obama holds anti-colonial, anti-capitalist views that he inherited from his father, argued that the policies Obama has implemented have not been as radical as Republicans have made them out to be, and even confronted D'Souza over the controversial comments that got him fired from ABC ten years ago, which were set off by comments D'Souza made on Politically Incorrect.
In Oct. 2012, Maher and Newsweek's editor-in-chief, Tina Brown, got into a twitter battle after the magazine released an issue with the cover "Heaven Is Real."
Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab join forces to recap the draft in the best way they know how: letter grades! Fitz and Frank discuss all 32 teams division by division as they give a snapshot of how fans should be feeling heading into the 2024 season. The duo have key debates on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and more.
![After Rush Limbaugh faced extreme criticism in regards to his disparaging comments about Sandra Fluke in March 2012, Maher received criticism, from both sides, for his defensive remark stating, "I don't like it that people are made to disappear when they say [...] something you don't like. That's America. Sometimes you're made to feel uncomfortable, okay?" But this comment was clearly not meant to be taken as reconciliatory, as Maher called Limbaugh a <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2012/03/10/bill-maher-rush-limbaughs-stupid-fat-f-k-who-s-not-funny">"fat f**ck, whose not funny"</a>, immediately after.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u5fCDXEs6Bm98JbyU3I2Jg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5bad480924000051005494fd.jpg)
![In March 2011, Bill Maher joked about Michele Bachmann's attempt to run for president by attacking her intelligence and religious beliefs. Maher was criticized when Marc Maron appeared on his show and discussed sex between Michele Bachmann and her husband, saying, <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-panel-hits-new-low-with-talk-of-hard-fking-michele-bachmann-and-rick-santorum/">"I hope [he] takes all that rage that comes from repression and denial into the bedroom with her…and I hope he f**ks her angrily, because that’s how I would.”</a>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3ZbkiOOYpr3IwJ_uVAxFBw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5bad480a200000e800fef361.jpg)
![In March, 2012 Bill Maher incited a feud with Rick Santorum when his remarks condemning Christian homeschooling hit too close to home for the GOP presidential candidate, who is a firm believer. In response, Santorum said, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/bill-maher-irks-rick-santorum-by-comparing-christian-homeschoolding-to-madrassa/">"Our children will out-reason him. My 12-year-old will out-reason Bill Maher when it comes to understanding how logic works, ’cause [Maher] is completely illogical.”</a>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bT4i6D2ciHeo8203gOPk5g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5bad480b24000051009613b3.jpg)
