In a recent episode of "Real Time," renowned television host Bill Maher launched a scathing attack on prestigious universities Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), accusing them of aligning with Hamas and referring to their students as "useful idiots." Maher staunchly defended the principle of free speech, claiming it applied to both anti-Israel rhetoric and dissenting voices. The presidents of both universities faced backlash following their testimony on Capitol Hill, where they failed to acknowledge that calls for genocide against Jews violated their institutions' code of conduct.

Drawing attention to the ranking of colleges regarding free speech by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), Maher highlighted that Harvard and UPenn ranked unfavorably at the bottom. Making a provocative connection, Maher wondered if the low ranking and their stance on free speech correlated with their support for Hamas.

Delving into slogans heard at pro-Palestinian rallies on college campuses, Maher defended the use of terms like "intifada" as protected speech. However, he expressed concern over slogans such as "From the river to the sea," which he deemed as "a little more genocide-y." Maher humorously speculated that these phrases might imply a desire for the relocation of Jews rather than their extermination. He raised eyebrows, particularly with the audience, when he mentioned the phrase "by any means necessary."

Greg Lukianoff, CEO of the pro-free speech group FIRE, joined the discussion, asserting that the term "intifada" fell under protected speech but could also cross into threats and harassment. Lukianoff criticized the inability of university presidents to address these issues clearly during their testimony. Maher, a staunch advocate for free speech, expressed frustration with the double standards, highlighting that while one might not hear calls to "kill the Jews," chants of "f--- the Jews" were not uncommon. He questioned why such language was acceptable for one group but not others.

Maher characterized college students as "useful idiots," criticizing the highest-ranking colleges for producing individuals with such limited understanding. He attributed this to their reliance on social media platforms like TikTok and their desire to align themselves with marginalized communities. Maher further lambasted his liberal colleagues who disregarded his concerns about college campuses, calling the exposure of these issues a vindication of their previous dismissals.

Identifying as "Team Israel," Maher defended the presence of anti-Israel rhetoric on college campuses on the grounds of free speech, as it allowed the identification and assessment of the problem's magnitude. He cited a recent '60 Minutes' segment featuring a Jewish student advocating for prohibiting pro-Hamas organizations on campuses. Maher firmly disagreed, arguing that regardless of personal opinions, expressing such viewpoints was a vital aspect of American society. He emphasized the importance of knowing the extent of support for Hamas on campuses.

Fox News Digital reached out to both Harvard and UPenn for their response to Maher's assertions, and any updates regarding their comments will be conveyed as they become available.

In a fervid debate over free speech, Maher's outspoken criticism of prestigious universities raises poignant questions about the balance between protecting speech rights and confronting hateful ideologies on college campuses.