Bill Maher isn’t holding back when it comes to Donald Trump’s ambitious plan to revive American manufacturing — and he’s got jokes. The Real Time host recently went on a comedic tirade, laughing off the idea of a return to a labor-driven economy, pointing squarely at Gen Z as a major obstacle.
Maher quipped that today’s younger generation isn’t exactly built for blue-collar work, saying they’re far from the “hard-hatted, lunch-pail-carrying, manly men” that defined America’s industrial past. In his words, “No one’s gonna work at these shiny new plants!”
“Masculinity Is Now a Hate Crime”
In typical Maher fashion, he didn’t just stop at jokes — he mused more deeply (and controversially), suggesting that traditional masculinity is now frowned upon to the point of being “a hate crime.” Though exaggerated, the sentiment plays into his broader argument: America has evolved past the era of manual labor, and trying to recreate it might be pointless.
Welcome to the Age of NILFs
The comedian pointed to the rise of the “NILFs” — or “Not In Labor Force” — men who have essentially checked out of the workforce. Maher noted that the U.S. hasn’t been a manufacturing powerhouse in decades and that any attempt to bring it back faces both economic and cultural headwinds.
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“We’re a service country now,” Maher said, arguing that American factories can’t outcompete global manufacturing prices, and if we do build them, they’ll be run by machines anyway.
Robots or Bust
And in classic Maher style, he wrapped things up with a spicy punchline — “Why take robots out of their proper place — sex slaves?”
The commentary, while comedic, does echo real concerns about workforce participation, generational shifts, and the future of American labor — all delivered with Maher’s trademark sarcasm.
