Real Time with Bill Maher guests - Friday, February 13, 2026

[Rhiannon12866]

Real Time with Bill Maher continues its 24th season Friday, February 13th (10:05-11:05 p.m. live ET/7:05-8:05 p.m. PT), with a replay at 11:39 p.m., exclusively on HBO.

This week features a one-on-one interview with Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and professor at NYU Stern School of Business and co-author of The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World.

This week's in-studio panel discussion will include Stephanie Ruhle, host of MS NOW’s The 11th Hour and co-host of the YouTube series It’s Happening with Velshi & Ruhle; and retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, author, former United States National Security Advisor, and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

[question everything]

1. Good panel. Thank you, again, for postings.

[AStern]

2. Jonathan Haidt is a grifter

Are Smartphones & Social Media Really Causing a Teen Mental Health Crisis?

Are smartphones and social media actually destroying teen mental health, or is this just another moral panic? I critically examine the growing narrative that phones, apps, and screen time are responsible for rising anxiety, depression, and harm among teenagers.

These claims, popularized by politicians, journalists, interest groups like the Heritage Foundation, and authors like Jonathan Haidt (The Anxious Generation), are being used to justify mass surveillance laws, deplatforming marginalized people, and implementing policies that actually harm kids and reward big tech.

They allow lawmakers to scapegoat users, and institute draconian surveillance laws instead of enacting meaningful regulation. Haidt and others boosting this moral panic have pushed debunked claims about how social media can turn kids LGBTQ. Haidt has pushed false and misogynistic claims that young liberal women suffer from more "anxiety." He is on the board of Bari Weiss' unaccredited reactionary right wing University.

[Abolishinist]

8. The same Taylor Lorenz

who posted an image on Instagram labeling then-U.S. president Joe Biden as a "war criminal"?

Who initailly lied about doing so, but was later found out?

[AStern]

9. I guess so. Maher has a lot dumber takes but you still watch it.

[Abolishinist]

10. Take it up with Barack Obama, I'm sure he'd love to discuss this with you!

[AStern]

11. Obama is allowed to be wrong.

As are you.

[question everything]

13. Does the current White House occupant have a list of favorite books?

Last edited Fri Feb 13, 2026, 09:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Yeah, right

[Abolishinist]

16. Of course!

• The Art of the Re-Deal
• A Brief History of Time (Person of the Year Edition)
• Brave New World, Very Brave, The Bravest
• The Brothers Karamazov, Who Are All Very Loyal
• War and Peace (But Mostly Trade Wars)
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Tweeting - All Caps Edition

I'm sure there are plenty more!

[Abolishinist]

3. We'll be watching!

Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, should be interesting. Barak Obama had this to say a year ago…

"I always look forward to sharing my annual list of favorite books, movies, and music. Today I’ll start by sharing some of the books that have stuck with me long after I finished reading them. Check them out this holiday season, preferably at an independent bookstore or library!"

The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt
Intermezzo - Sally Rooney
Patriot - Alexei Navalny
-plus seven more-

Stephanie Ruhle is one of my faves, I enjoy her 11th Hour show.

And of course, the opening and New Rules are always fun.

Thanks for posting!

[Emile]

4. Stephanie Ruhle will be interesting. If I

can ignore Bill's Libertarian Centrist Bullshit, it could be a good show.

[themaguffin]

14. yep

[UTUSN]

5. K&R

[Prairie Gates]

6. Fuck Bill Maher

[Abolishinist]

12. Rather than FBM,

you should go after Stephanie Ruhle for exhibiting her lack of insight for agreeing to be on his show. It was obviously her decision to do so, she needs to know the consequences!

I mean, after all, some on DU have referred to those who watch his show as indecent and unintelligent. It's a live show, surely you could convince her to immediately cancel tonight's appearance.

Here's her contact information: https://www.stephanieruhle.com/contact/

Go for it, there's still time!

[themaguffin]

7. What's interesting is

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - 2/13/2026:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1322106455