Marc Maron Slams Comics Driving ‘Anti-Woke Flank of the New Fascism’ After Tony Hinchcliffe Set

Marc Maron rebuked the comics he believes are driving the “anti-woke flank of the new fascism” in a short essay pointedly shared after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made several racist jokes at Donald Trump’s rally in New York City yesterday. 

Maron set up this point by arguing that he believes that “what is brewing in this country is an American fascist movement rooted half in grievance and half in Jesus and enabled by tech oligarchs and an inundation of propaganda from many sources.” One major source, he seemed to argue, was comics — “my peers,” Maron wrote. 

“Whether or not they are self-serving or true believers in the new fascism is unimportant,” the WTF host continued. “They are of the movement. Whether they see themselves as acolytes or just comics doesn’t matter. Whether they are driven by the idea that what they are fighting for is a free speech issue or whether they are truly morally bankrupt racists doesn’t matter. They are part of the public face of a fascist political movement that seeks to destroy the democratic idea.”

Maron did not mention Hinchcliffe — or any other comics — by name, but he proceeded to make a pointed remark about “comedians with podcasts” who have “shameless, self-proclaimed white supremacists and fascists on their show to joke around like they are just entertainers or even just politicians.” (Hinchcliffe has hosted his own podcast, Kill Tony, and he’s also closely associated with Joe Rogan.) 

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Maron said these shows “humanize and normalize fascism,” adding: “When someone uses their platform for that reason they are facilitating anti-American sentiment and promoting violent autocracy.” 

Hinchcliffe’s set at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally drew widespread criticism, particularly when he called Puerto Rico an “island of garbage.” The Trump campaign was even forced to issue a statement saying Hinchcliffe’s “joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” Hinchcliffe’s material also included a joke about watermelon directed at a Black audience member, and an antisemitic joke about Jewish people being cheap.