On his late-night show, Bill Maher and a panel discussed the effectiveness of recent protest strategies, including a “no-spend day” and interpretive dance, aimed at challenging Donald Trump’s policies. Maher’s blunt criticism of the “no-spend day” created a lively debate on its true impact.
The Ineffectiveness of “No-Spend Day”
Bill Maher and his panel criticized the “no-spend day” protest as ineffective, dubbing it “stupid”. This event, organized by People’s Union USA, encouraged participants to refrain from spending to protest corporate and political influence on American lives. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel humorously remarked that participants might have too much free time.
Even Bill Maher's panel is mocking the 'resistance' to Trump's 2nd term:
Bill Maher: "No Spend Day: You refrain from making any purchases for a full day. It's so fucking stupid."
Fareed Zakaria: "The answer is figure out how to win elections."'The answer is figure out how to… pic.twitter.com/XMPWzlnE9c
— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) March 1, 2025
The protest aimed at corporations and banks by promoting only essential spending. Despite its intentions, panelists agreed that the initiative likely fails to enact substantial political change. The People’s Union USA’s agenda calls for corporate accountability, universal healthcare, and fair taxation.
Interpretive Dance as Political Protest
Fareed Zakaria joined the discussion, expressing that interpretive dance protests against Trump’s USAID cuts highlight the Democrats’ struggle in recent elections. While acknowledging dance’s emotional power, the panel found it lacking practical political impact. Zakaria underscored the need for strategic election wins instead of symbolic protests.
Bill Maher and panel rip 'f——' stupid' no-spend day movement, interpretive dance protests to counter Trump https://t.co/IGlCkEsRVP
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 2, 2025
“This is why I was saying that there really is a movement of people doing interpretive dances to protest the Trump administration’s cuts of USAID. I mean, like, people are starving. You know, the thing about not winning, as you said, is you’re left with these kind of absurdities The answer is figure out how to win elections.” – Fareed Zakaria.
Zakaria suggested that Democrats learn from past presidents like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to secure election victories. Without successful electoral strategies, Democrats might continue with what he labeled as “absurdities.”
The Larger Debate Over Protest Strategies
Rahm Emanuel further criticized the Democratic focus on identity politics and niche issues, suggesting they divert attention from achieving broader success. Emanuel questioned Chicago’s crime and educational standards leadership, calling for more conventional political solutions.
The discussion on Maher’s show underscores a broader conversation on political protest strategies. While creative forms like interpretive dance have their place, many argue that proactive engagement and electoral victories are crucial for enacting genuine policy changes, particularly when countering influential figures like Donald Trump.