GOP Congressman Comments On Testimony During Hearing
Katherine Maher’s testimony before Congress this week may go down as one of the most revealing—and uncomfortable—displays of media deflection in recent memory. Called to address concerns about left-wing bias at National Public Radio, the NPR CEO seemed ill-prepared to counter the mounting evidence presented against her organization, and worse, her own words.
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) led the questioning in a viral exchange that turned into a textbook case of how to dismantle the illusion of neutrality. Maher, attempting to defend NPR’s editorial direction, claimed she had “never seen any evidence” of bias within the organization. That alone drew skepticism, but Gill wasted no time bringing receipts: her own social media history.
Today I asked @NPR CEO @krmaher to explain her prolific, radically left-wing public commentary.
She couldn’t even defend her own words. pic.twitter.com/KuFVylPFsC
— Congressman Brandon Gill (@RepBrandonGill) March 27, 2025
What followed was a public unraveling. Faced with her own past tweets—tweets championing hard-left ideological literature, expressing overt political leanings, and reinforcing a worldview in line with progressive orthodoxy—Maher repeatedly claimed she “couldn’t remember” the statements. When asked about her endorsement of a reparations-themed book she once tweeted was “so important,” she downplayed it as part of her “evolving” views.
Her demeanor didn’t help. Observers pointed to the now-infamous expression she gave during Gill’s questioning—a blend of condescension and discomfort—that instantly became symbolic of NPR’s broader posture: dismissive of criticism, certain of its own virtue, and stunned when held accountable.
As a general rule, I don’t like giving money to people who hate me @NPR @krmaher pic.twitter.com/iegI9A402g
— Congressman Brandon Gill (@RepBrandonGill) March 29, 2025
Gill summed it up later with a sharp remark: “As a general rule, I don’t like giving money to people who hate me.” His comment struck a chord with many, especially as more Americans grow weary of taxpayer-funded media portraying half the country as the problem.
The backlash extended beyond Congress. Even HBO’s Bill Maher, no stranger to progressive causes but increasingly a critic of the modern left, chimed in during his latest show. Maher was blunt: “Give me a break, lady... they’re crazy far-left.” He questioned why any public funding still flows to media outlets in an era this polarized, noting that institutions like NPR were products of a different time—when political parties disagreed but didn’t demonize.
NEW: Bill Maher, Columbia U Professor John McWhorter call to STRIP taxpayer funding from NPR
MAHER: "They're crazy far left ... We're so polarized — these outlets became popular at a time when Republicans and Democrats didn't hate each other and weren't at each other's… pic.twitter.com/bMKcDTMCpy
— Jason Cohen (@JasonJournoDC) March 29, 2025
Columbia’s John McWhorter echoed the sentiment, stating that NPR no longer functions as it once did. Once seen as a bastion of thoughtful discourse, it has, in the eyes of many, drifted into ideological advocacy—with taxpayers footing the bill.
Meanwhile, celebrities like Sheryl Crow have tried to counter the movement by donating private funds to NPR—most notably with proceeds from the sale of her Tesla. Ironically, her gesture only reinforced the argument critics have made: if NPR has supporters, let them fund it voluntarily.