Real Time with Bill Maher Ep. #703: Thomas Chatterton Williams, Molly Jong-Fast, Walter Kirn
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Aug 16, 2025 
In this discussion, Thomas Chatterton Williams, a staff writer at The Atlantic, shares insights from his book on divisive discourse and society's complex responses to 'wokeness.' Walter Kirn, a noted novelist, humorously critiques modern parenting amid political absurdities, including controversies surrounding figures like Trump and Epstein. The conversation also delves into the ongoing challenges of homelessness in California, satirizing ineffective solutions and ICE's tactics. They explore the absurd dynamics of political participation and the evolving landscape of public sentiment.
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2020 As The Cultural Turning Point
- Thomas Chatterton Williams argues 2020 was a red-letter year that revealed cultural fractures from pandemic, racial reckoning, and politics.
- He says examining that summer's 'black box' explains why wokeness' dominance helped fuel a populist backlash.
Successes Revealed Wokeness' Flaws
- Williams says wokeness's successes exposed flaws more than its failures did, undermining trust in its prescriptions.
- He links policy shifts like abolishing merit-based tests to tangible declines in institutional performance.
Don't Double Down On Failed Tactics
- Williams warns repeating radical versions of wokeness won't regain broad appeal and may worsen polarization.
- He advocates diagnosing past errors and correcting course rather than doubling down on those tactics.
