Could we be seeing a new movement in America toward togetherness, led by country music? It’s possible according to Bill Maher.

Politics and music have gone hand in hand for decades. From anti-war anthems of the 1970s all the way to the pro America anthems of Toby Keith in the 2000s, the music has reflected the mood of a nation.

Maher, a longtime political commentator, discussed the notion on his latest episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. Maher claimed that he used to “hate country music” but has changed his mind “because the people making it changed.”

During his monologue, Maher addressed the potential for Americans to follow the lead of Country music and come together as a country despite our differences.

Maher pointed out the 2024 Grammy performance by Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman.

“Luke Combs performed a duet with Tracy Chapman, a queer black woman, and no one ran from the building,” he said. “In fact they loved it.”

The performance was loved by critics and fans alike as Chapman became the first ever solo black woman to hold a No. 1 song in the world of country music.

See Maher’s entire segment, the country music discussion begins around the 6:30 mark. (Note: There is strong language used in the video.)

This is not the first time that Maher has used country music as a bellwether of the nation, citing Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani as a symbol of healing back in 2020.