In a recent episode of "Real Time," host Bill Maher launched a scathing attack on prestigious universities such as Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, accusing them of being “Team Hamas” and having students who are "useful idiots." Maher defended the anti-Israel rhetoric on the principle of free speech, stating that it "works both ways."

The controversy surrounding the presidents of Harvard and UPenn began after their testimony on Capitol Hill, during which they failed to condemn calls for genocide against Jews as a violation of their universities' code of conduct. Maher wasted no time in addressing this issue as he kicked off the interview with Greg Lukianoff, CEO of the pro-free speech group FIRE, by highlighting the low ranking of Harvard and UPenn in terms of free speech among nearly 250 universities.

Maher questioned the connection between these universities and their apparent support for Hamas, citing slogans heard at pro-Palestinian rallies on college campuses. While he defended the use of the term "intifada," considering it as "one of those vague terms like jihad," he admitted that it "probably means violence." However, he expressed concern over the pro-Palestinian slogan "From the river to the sea," describing it as "a little more genocide-y."

Attempting to give the benefit of the doubt, Maher humorously speculated, "Well, we just want the Jews to move and not die." He then raised alarm over the phrase "by any means necessary," expressing his discomfort. Lukianoff responded by affirming that the term intifada is protected speech, but he emphasized that it can also fall under threats or harassment. Lukianoff found it embarrassing to witness the university presidents' inability to provide a clear answer on this matter.

Maher continued to express his support for free speech while pointing out what he perceived as a double standard. He highlighted examples of anti-Jewish sentiment, including chants of "F- the Jews," and questioned why this was deemed acceptable. The HBO star labeled college students as "useful idiots" and criticized the esteemed universities for supposedly raising a bunch of idiots. Maher attributed this to students being influenced by buzzwords and social media platforms like TikTok, suggesting that they prioritize aligning themselves with marginalized communities rather than critically assessing the situation.

Maher also voiced his frustration with his liberal friends who, he claimed, only followed news sources such as MSNBC and The New York Times, dismissing his concerns about the situation on college campuses. He believed that the recent backlash against the university presidents shed light on the issues he had been warning about for years.

Despite identifying himself as being "Team Israel," Maher defended not suppressing anti-Israel rhetoric on college campuses. He argued that it is important to know the extent of the problem and who supports Hamas. Drawing from a recent segment on "60 Minutes," Maher mentioned a Jewish student who suggested that those who support Hamas should not be allowed to have organizations on campus. However, Maher firmly disagreed, stating, "This is America. This works both ways."

In response to Maher's assertions, Fox News Digital reached out to both Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania for comment. The article concludes by noting that the story will be updated if a reply is received from either university.