HBO on Saturday condemned its host Bill Maher’s “inexcusable and tasteless” use of a racial slur the previous night.
“Bill Maher’s comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless,” HBO said in a statement. “We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show.”
The comedian had Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) on his show “Real Time with Bill Maher” Friday when he joked he was a house slave. The comment came in response to Sasse joking he wanted Maher to work in the fields in Nebraska.
While Sasse did not respond during his appearance, he condemned Maher’s slur afterwards on Twitter, saying “free speech comes with a responsibility.”
Criticism against Maher is mounting, with some calling for HBO to fire the comedian.