- The Washington Times - Saturday, January 23, 2016

Late-night talk show host Bill Maher on Friday took aim, once again, at extreme liberalism on social media, saying too much political correctness has led to the rise of Donald Trump in the polls. 

Speaking with comedian Seth MacFarlane on his show “Real Time,” Mr. Maher said, “I know you feel the same way I do that Donald Trump is largely a result of a backlash to political correctness,” Mediaite reported

The “Family Guy” creator argued that the rise of social media has largely led to the backlash. 

He said that social media has been both good and bad for politics because its gives voice to people who otherwise wouldn’t have one. 

“I think somebody like Caitlin Jenner would not have been as accepted were it not for social media, so I think that’s a good part of it,” Mr. MacFarlane said. 

But, he said the problems occur when everyone “jumps on the bandwagon” for worthwhile causes that get largely dismissed when everything that liberals find offensive becomes an annoying microaggression.

“Or boo a joke about race before you even hear what it is,” Mr. Maher said, referring to an audience member who had done just that a few minutes earlier in the show, Mediaite reported.

 Mr. MacFarlane said that by turning every little offensive tweet or joke in to a firestorm, liberals lose credibility when they do go after worthy causes. 

“We have to sort of get smart about picking our battles,” Mr. MacFarlane said, arguing that liberals have to push for tolerance without alienating conservatives and causing more tension by being too aggressive. 

• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.

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