Speaking with NPR\u2019s “Newsmakers” podcast,<\/a> the host of HBO\u2019s “Real Time” argued that the court of public opinion frequently ignores the rule of law. He pointed to his recent interviews with actors Kevin Spacey and Woody Allen and insisted society needs to recognize when someone has done his time.<\/p>\n “People just want to believe what they want to believe. So, when the jury comes in on the side you like, ‘Oh, perfect. The jury spoke.’ But when they don’t, it’s like, ‘Oh, no, screw that. Forget it. I don\u2019t care about the police investigations. I don\u2019t care about the exonerations,\u2019” Maher said.<\/p>\n BILL MAHER TELLS NPR INTERVIEWER HE VIEWS OUTLET AS ‘FAR EXTREME OF THE LEFT’<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Twain Prize recipient Bill Maher attends the 27th Mark Twain Prize For American Humor Gala at The Kennedy Center on June 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Paul Morigi\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “Either the law means something or it doesn\u2019t. You know, and not every punishment should be forever. Have some grace.”<\/p>\n On June 28, Maher received the 27th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor<\/a> in a Kennedy Center ceremony that featured a lineup of high-profile guests, including Louis C.K., Whitney Cummings, Matt Friend, Woody Harrelson, Arianna Huffington, Jay Leno, John Mellencamp and Stephen A. Smith. The event will stream on Netflix<\/a> July 21.<\/p>\n His inclusion of disgraced comedian Louis C.K. sparked questions from the NPR interviewer. In 2017, C.K. admitted to sexual misconduct allegations after several female comedians accused him of exposing himself and masturbating in front of them or over the phone without their consent in a New York Times article<\/a>. His actions did not result in criminal charges.<\/p>\n ARMIE HAMMER COMPARES HIS HOLLYWOOD EXILE TO BEING CRUCIFIED: ‘THE NAILS ARE IN MY HANDS’<\/a><\/p>\n Louis C.K., left, and Jay Leno attended the 27th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Shannon Finney\/WireImage via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Maher defended C.K., arguing he has already faced public cancellation<\/a> for nearly a decade and has served his time in “show business jail.” C.K. has returned to Netflix with a new comedy special, “Ridiculous.”<\/p>\n “Anyone who’s still mad at that, you know, has no concept of appropriate punishment. Like, we do it in the law. Not everything is a hanging offense. If you’re in show business jail for 10 years, maybe that’s enough,” Maher said, confirming he personally invited C.K. to the ceremony.<\/p>\n PATTON OSWALT SAYS BILL MAHER WAS WRONG TO TRY TO ‘PLACATE’ TRUMP, ARGUES IT ALWAYS BACKFIRES<\/a><\/p>\n “I mean, people get like two years for rape. You know, I mean, the weird sort of no rules for how we mete out punishment in this country for offenders is pretty weird,” Maher later added.<\/p>\n He also defended actor Kevin Spacey, who was acquitted<\/a> of all sexual assault charges in the U.K. in July 2023 after a high-profile trial. Spacey had pleaded not guilty to all counts. Separate U.S. cases ended with a dropped criminal charge and a dismissed civil lawsuit.<\/p>\n Maher, who hosted Spacey on his “Club Random” podcast<\/a> on June 29 and director Woody Allen for a separate sit-down last year, reiterated that the court of public opinion often ignores the legal system. Allen has faced decades-old sexual abuse allegations<\/a> that he has continuously denied and was never criminally charged following police investigations.<\/p>\n![\"Bill](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MAHER-MARK-TWAIN-PRIZE.jpg\")
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