Maher Makes Racist 'Popeye's Chicken' Joke in Front of Will Hurd

During Friday's edition of Real Time With Bill Maher, the eponymous host interviewed Congressman Will Hurd, a Republican from Texas, who disagrees with President Trump about the necessity of a border wall.  Maher tried to get Hurd to explain why he was a Republican, telling him "they're not good at national defense, the President's a traitor," before asking him again "what is in the Republican Party for you?"  Hurd talked about his experience in the CIA, describing himself as "the dude in the back alleys at 4:00 in the morning, collecting intelligence on the threats to the homeland..."  At this point, Maher interrupted and asked, "that's where they collect them?" Hurd replied, "it is," before Maher asked "by the Popeye's Chicken?"  The Daily Beast and many other publications described the "Popeye's Chicken" remark as racist because Hurd is African-American. For his part, Hurd seemed to brush off the remark; he continued describing his experience in the CIA with Maher and the audience.