Elon Musk, Bill Maher slam ‘woke mind virus’ on ‘Real Time’

Bill Maher and Elon Musk criticized the “woke mind virus” and its implications on society during the comedian’s “Real Time” show on HBO Friday.

“You have talked about this ‘woke mind virus’ in really apocalyptic terms. You should explain why you don’t think it’s hyperbole to say things like it’s ‘pushing civilization towards suicide.’ First of all, what is the woke mind virus? And if we don’t deal with this, nothing else can get done,” Maher pressed the billionaire.

Musk, seated opposite him, reiterated his position on the unique dangers of wokeness toward modern society.

“I think we need to be very cautious about anything that is anti-meritocratic and anything that results in the suppression of free speech,” Musk said. “So, you know, those are two other aspects of the woke mind virus that I think are very dangerous is that it’s anti-meritocratic. You can’t question things. Even the questioning is bad. So, you know, another way… [it’s almost synonymous] with cancel culture.

“And obviously people have tried to cancel you many times,” Musk quipped to audience laughter.

“Yes, many times. Every week,” Maher deadpanned to more laughs. “From left and right, I’ve had it from both sides.”

The two also touched upon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, which Maher said he understood why the billionaire would want the social media platform, calling it part of “the big civilizational issues and problems” in America.

“I really can’t emphasize this enough, we must protect free speech … The thing about censorship — for those who advocate for it — at some point, it will be turned on you,” Musk said.