By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-09 17:37:04 | Updated at 2026-08-09 22:08:06
4 hours ago
Bill Maher took aim at Democrats on Friday night declaring that 'whiteness' is 'not a disease' while calling out Wisconsin gubernatorial Democratic candidate Francesca Hong.
Maher, 70, eviscerated Hong, 37, after she discussed her son's 'proximity to whiteness' because he is mixed-race, back in a 2021 interview.
'Look at this Francesca Hong. I mentioned it in the monologue, what she said about whiteness and toxicity,' Maher said on Friday night during his show Real Time.
'She described her son - now she has an ex-husband, white. Okay. She's Asian. She described it as wrestling with - this is her own son - being in proximity to whiteness.
'Of all the things I think the Democrats have to lose, number one, whiteness, it's not a disease,' he said.
Maher added, 'this has got to go,' and called Democrats' talk about 'whiteness' their 'big flaw.'
In the previous interview with ListenMKE, Hong said: 'My proximity to whiteness continues, right? My son is biracial. He is half white and half Korean.
'And I think navigating, you know, what his identity is and how people perceive him is always at the back of my mind,' she added.
Bill Maher called out Democrats and specifically targeted Wisconsin gubernatorial Democratic candidate Francesca Hong, declaring them to drop the idea that 'whiteness' is a 'disease'
Maher referenced Hong's comments about her son's 'proximity to whiteness' because he is mixed-race, back in a 2021 interview
The late night show host continued on with his rant, saying: 'Who is the Democrat who's going to stand up and say, "I'm a white guy. I'm not a racist because I don't think white people are worse."'
He added that humans are 'all the same' and that everyone has done 'horrible things.'
Maher also addressed Hong's views on Thanksgiving, pointing to a now-deleted 2020 X post in which she said she wanted to cancel' the holiday.
'Democrats have found a candidate who hates Thanksgiving and wants to get rid of it,' Maher said.
'Yes, running for governor in Wisconsin, Francesca Hong. Have you heard about this? Yeah, Thanksgiving, she says, should be canceled.'
Maher joked, saying: 'Finally, a politician willing to stand up to big stuffing. Wow. Oh, you gotta love the Democrats!'
Hong has faced backlash over her comments but has since pivoted her stance, declaring that she 'loves' the holiday.
The 70-year-old host took another shot at her, calling her a 'flip-flop' on the issue.
'I don't believe you! I don't believe you people who renounce things. We know what you said, you mean it, live by it. Don't f**"ing squirrelly out of it!' He lashed.
Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and the Assembly's Socialist Caucus, was first elected to the State Assembly in 2020.
In September 2023, Hong, as the first Asian to win an Assembly Seat in Wisconsin, told Meal Magazine as a chef and owner of her own restaurant, Morris Ramen, that she had a history of poor mental health
Ahead of the August 11 primary election, Hong is leading the Democratic race for Wisconsin governor with 44 percent support, according to a new poll from State Navigate. David Crowley trails with 22 percent, followed by Kelda Roll at 11 percent.
GOP candidates Tom Tiffany and Andy Manske are competing for the Republican nomination with the latest polling from Marquette Law School showing Tiffany in the lead with 67 percent support, and 2 percent support for Manske.
Wisconsin' current governor, Tony Evers, is not seeking another term.
Hong's parents, Jinkuk and Youngjoo Hong, arrived in the United States from South Korea in 1987 shortly after getting married and settled in Madison, Wisconsin, according to The Cap Times.
She attended Madison West High School, where she served as co-captain of the varsity soccer team while working as a server at a Korean fusion steakhouse.
Before becoming a state representative and gubernatorial candidate, Hong made her name in Madison's restaurant scene.
After dropping out of the University of Wisconsin at Madison to pursue culinary ambitions, she climbed the industry quickly, becoming executive chef at the now-closed American bistro 43 North at just 23-years-old – one of the few women leading an upscale downtown kitchen at the time.
In 2016, Hong opened Morris Ramen with her husband, chef Matt Morris, shortly after the birth of their son. The restaurant closed in 2024.
Hong has often described the restaurant industry as where she found belonging, connection and community – a message she later used while defending her Thanksgiving post.
