Maher Examines Meme Culture's Link to Political Violence on Real Time

Bill Maher used Real Time on Friday to probe how internet memes can influence real-world violence, linking online culture to a deadly Dallas ICE facility shooting and to the case of Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin. Maher spoke with Aidan Walker, a Georgetown University online culture researcher, who described memes as not just jokes or clever images but as “historical documents” that accrue new meanings in online spaces and can shape actions in ways that older generations may not fully understand.

Walker explained that memes are layered and can function like dog whistles, carrying anti-social or hateful ideas without stating them outright. “In a way it’s a little bit like dog whistle… they’re so layered in, you know, I don’t really mean this, but you can put this sort of anti-social or hateful idea behind that,” he said. The discussion touched on how engravings found on shell casings tied to what investigators described as Charlie Kirk’s would-be killer have fed into that analysis, with messages ranging from gamer-inspired lines to anti-fascist sentiments etched onto the casings.

The segment followed Wednesday’s deadly shooting at a Dallas ICE field office, where one detainee was killed and two others were wounded before the gunman took his own life. Investigators recovered several rounds from the scene, and federal authorities have noted the gunman left behind a casing inscribed with the phrase “anti-ICE.” Maher described the act as almost “murdering ironically,” challenging viewers to consider how violent acts are framed in contemporary discourse. An FBI representative cited in the discussion said investigators recovered these rounds from the Dallas scene, underscoring the real-world consequences of online rhetoric in violent acts. The segment also referenced the case connected to Kirk, with the discussion touching on how a platform or online subculture can contribute to justifications for violence.

Maher pressed viewers to consider how public figures and political movements are discussed in the online space and warned against drawing simplistic cause-and-effect lines. He and Walker acknowledged that memes can be ironic or subversive, and that they often convey multiple, even conflicting messages depending on the reader’s perspective. Walker described a broader phenomenon he calls a “crisis of meaning,” noting that many young people feel uncertain about their future and may retreat into online spaces where belonging and meaning feel more immediate than in the real world. He cautioned that such environments can be breeding grounds for alienation and anti-social behavior when not counterbalanced by positive social bonds.

Walker went on to offer a path forward, suggesting that restoring social bonds and ensuring people have a sense of dignity and visibility in society could reduce the appeal of extremist online spaces. “Giving people those social bonds… giving everybody the shot at dignity and the shot at being seen in our culture,” he said, describing a hopeful framework for addressing the pull of online extremism while avoiding the pitfalls of moralizing or censorship.

In the closing portion of the segment, Maher reflected on the political rhetoric surrounding violence. He noted resistance from some Republicans who blame perceived left-wing radicalization for recent acts, but he derided the notion as oversimplified. “You keep saying the Left is more approving of political violence—well who do you think that’s going to be aimed at?” Maher asked, urging a more careful examination of how competing narratives can incite or excuse violent actions. He pressed for accountability on all sides and cautioned against letting punitive framing justify or normalize violence.

The discussion also touched on how terms and tropes surrounding political figures—such as references to authoritarian leaders or fascist imagery—have evolved. Maher warned that drawing exaggerated parallels to historical figures can blur lines between critique and justification, potentially helping villains rationalize their actions. He also criticized the habit of treating online culture as merely entertainment, emphasizing that memes can carry real-world consequences that deserve scrutiny and responsibility from creators, critics, and platforms alike.

The segment concluded with a reminder that social media and online communities are shaping political discourse in significant, sometimes dangerous, ways. By examining how memes function as cultural signals and how they intersect with real-world violence, the discussion underscored the need for thoughtful approaches to online moderation, media literacy, and community-building initiatives that promote inclusive, civic engagement rather than division.