What Happens When Party and Identity Clash? Bill Maher Mocks Caitlyn Jenner

Will Caitlyn Jenner see support from many on the Left?

The question comes courtesy of the erstwhile Olympian’s decision to run for governor of California — as a Republican.

When party and identity collide, what’s the result among those who embrace one and detest the other?

As I covered Friday, Caitlyn’s move prompted discussion on The View — complemented by Joy Behar repeatedly referring to Jenner as “he.”

Later that evening — on his program Real Time — Bill Maher took a stab at the political run.

And “stab” isn’t a wholly inapplicable word choice.

Judging by his comments, despite the fact that a win would make transgender history, Maher won’t be helping former Bruce once again become an American champion.

Bruce Jenner Wheaties boxes are selling for hundreds on eBay http://t.co/Y7XRHAaLuB pic.twitter.com/kTIfUWA6Ac

— TIME (@TIME) April 27, 2015

The host opened with the following:

“How about this for news: Caitlyn Jenner is running for governor. I know you think of her as a reality-show star, but come on — people change.”

In terms of jokes, Bill got the balls rolling:

“She is trans, rested, and ready. She’s got a great slogan: Take the ‘sack’ out of ‘Sacramento.’”

As for a recall election to replace California’s Gavin Newsom, Maher’s not impressed — he labeled the endeavor “stupid.”

That preceded a Lada Gaga nod:

“I love that about her. Wasn’t always sure about the man-woman thing, but low capital-gains taxes, born that way!”

Then the host hit a triple — a reference round-up of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the aforementioned clash of components…and Trump:

“[A] lot of people, of course, are saying, ‘Isn’t it strange for a trans woman to be in a party that is passing anti-trans laws all over the country?’ And Caitlyn said, ‘Yeah, I get that. It’s just something about being in a party that doesn’t respect me that makes me feel like I’m home with the Kardashians.”

As for Caitlyn doting on The Donald, in its article “Bill Maher’s Transphobic Mockery of Caitlyn Jenner,” the Daily Beast noted the same:

Maher…moved on to Jenner…a lifelong Republican who, despite Trump’s deeply anti-trans platform, was once snapped driving around in a red “Make America Great Again” hat.

Have you heard Caitlyn’s take on California? The candidate’s unveiling included quite the condemnation:

“California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality. But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision.”

Gavin got javelin’d:

“Californians want better and deserve better from their governor. For too long, career politicians have over-promised and under-delivered…This isn’t the California we know. This is Gavin Newsom’s California, where he orders us to stay home but goes out to dinner with his lobbyist friends.”

As Bruce Jenner prepares to toss the javelin at the '76 Olympics, he is suddenly reminded of something else he may need to get rid of. pic.twitter.com/BuUjTvGBGd

— Bubble Gum Sportz (@VinSportsNutz) February 24, 2018

Here’s more:

“Taking on entrenched Sacramento politicians and the special interests that fund them requires a fighter who isn’t afraid to do what is right. I am a proven winner and the only outsider who can put an end to Gavin Newsom’s disastrous time as governor. Small businesses have been devastated because of the over-restrictive lockdown. An entire generation of children have lost a year of education and have been prevented from going back to school, participating in activities, or socializing with their friends.”

In line with Bill’s reception, don’t expect those in vocal support of transgenderism to dress their cars in “I’m With Jenner” decals.

The same day as the Daily Beast’s excoriation of Maher, it posted a castigation of Caitlyn.

“Hard Pass,” it wrote.

LGBT bigwigs are taking a similar approach.

Make no mistake: we can’t wait to elect a #trans governor of California.

But @Caitlyn_Jenner spent years telling the #LGBTQ+ community to trust Donald Trump. We saw how that turned out. Now she wants us to trust her?

Hard pass. @StopRepRecall pic.twitter.com/0zMw2HURNG

— Equality California (@eqca) April 23, 2021

Star Trek’s George Takei made a comparison to Candace Owens.

To hear him tell it, black people aren’t on board with the Blexit founder.

“Black people wouldn’t vote for Candace [Owens] for office. The disabled community wouldn’t vote for Madison Cawthorn. I’m LGBTQ but I won’t be voting for Caitlyn Jenner. Just so we’re clear.”

Black people wouldn’t vote for Candace Owen for office. The disabled community wouldn’t vote for Madison Cawthorn.

I’m LGBTQ but I won’t be voting for Caitlyn Jenner. Just so we’re clear.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 23, 2021

I’d say we’re sure to see much more of the same.

“It matters to us what policies candidates support — and what their track record might be — on a full range of issues…that is the lens one should always use in evaluating any candidate, including Caitlyn Jenner.” – @sashabuchert. https://t.co/EXPHt8EDYv

— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) April 24, 2021

We don't need any trump-loving reality TV stars screwing up America's largest state.

Seriously, NO MORE.
Just #SayNoToJenner.

Video by RA host @chipfranklin.pic.twitter.com/zkbs9DITlX

— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) April 23, 2021

Back to Bill and a collision of identity and affiliation, the Beast went into beast mode against Democrat Maher: