Comedian Bill Maher wants to see former Sen. Al Franken make a comeback, claiming labeling Franken as a “sexual predator” was “one of the all-time overreactions.”
In a shocking segment on HBO’s Real Time, Maher came to the defense of Franken, downplaying the allegations of sexual assault against the former senator.
In January, Franken resigned in disgrace after eight women accused him of sexual assault. Maher called into question the credibility of the women, saying he wants to see the former senator “get off the bench” and back into politics.
“Women should be heard always, and we should always keep in mind the vast majority of women reporting serious abuse are truthful,” Maher said. “But women also didn’t completely lose the ability to lie in in 2017.”
The allegations started when Leeann Tweeden came forward saying Franken “kissed and groped” her without consent while on a USO Tour Overseas in 2006, offering photographic evidence. Maher made a mockery of Tweeden’s story, saying the picture was a “joke.”
“Can we break down what he did? It started with that picture–it’s a joke, he apologized for it, no one died,” Maher said.
Maher implied Tweeden was fabricated the story for political purposes, reminding viewers that Franken never admitted to the allegations.
“What’s been forgotten is that while Al was always careful to say women should be heard, he never said, ‘Yeah, I did it,’” Maher continued.
Maher addressed the seven other women who came forward, saying the accusations were “mostly hand-drifting while taking pictures.” Maher claimed two of the allegations were “ridiculous,” saying the allegations were “not Al Franken.”
“Are Democrats really going to permanently send away one of of our ablest warriors for being a waist-grabber?” Maher asked.
“We can have #MeToo and Al Franken. They’re not mutually exclusive. It’s time to get Al off the bench so he can come back to doing what he does better than any other Democrat: taking down right-wing blowhards. I want to see Al Franken debate Donald Trump, and you know what? So do you,” Maher added.
Watch the segment below:
