RUTHFULLY YOURS

On HBO’s @RealTimers on Friday night, guest #FranLebowitz suggested murdering @realDonaldTrump: “We should turn him over to the Saudis, his buddies. The same Saudis who got rid of that reporter. Maybe they could do the same for him.” #RealTime

Ha ha, funny joke. Even the L.A. audience seems reluctant to cheer too loudly.

For his part, Maher did draw a near-pseudo-apology out of Lebowitz later in the show, because it’s no fun getting a visit from the Secret Service:

I’m not sure that’s really a “clarification,” but whatever. So she regrets saying it, and also everybody “misinterpreted” it. Plus, Bill Maher is just so put-upon. Is this really where we’re at as a country, when you’re expected to apologize for saying you want to kill the president? Poor Bill.

Look, I’m fine with people joking about whatever they want to joke about. But if I’m “inciting violence” by merely criticizing a Democrat — hi, Ilhan! — then something like this is definitely “inciting violence.” And if you say it, just own it. Don’t claim you were “misinterpreted.” You weren’t.

How about one standard for everybody? I know it’ll never happen, but it sure would be nice.