Bill Maher mocked Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's environmental deregulation stance while appearing to mix up carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in a monologue.
Media Bill Maher bungles greenhouse gases in attempted dunk against Doug Burgum The Trump administration rolled back Obama-era environmental regulations last week By Lindsay Kornick Fox News Published February 15, 2026 7:00pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Trump rolls back Obama-era greenhouse gas policies as EPA administrator explains benefits President Donald Trump announces a major rollback of Obama-era greenhouse gas policies. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin explains how the new rule aims to save Americans $1.3 trillion. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! "Real Time" host Bill Maher appeared to inadvertently mix up carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in an attempt to mock Interior Secretary Doug Burgum over loosening environmental regulations. On his show Friday, Maher commented on the decision by the Trump administration to roll back Obama-era greenhouse gas rules, calling it the "biggest d--- move in American history" and singling out Burgum by name."Doug Burgum, he’s the interior secretary," Maher said. "Listen to this, the way they all line up behind this nonsense. He said, CO2, carbon, was never a pollutant. He said when we breathe, we emit CO2. Okay, Doug, you know what? Let’s try this little experiment. Tonight, when you get home, go in the garage, close the door, turn the car on, and let’s see if carbon is a pollutant, okay? Thank you very much." EPA HEAD LEE ZELDIN DEFENDS REPEALING OBAMA-ERA CLIMATE CHANGE REGULATION WHEN PRESSED BY CNN HOST "Real Time" host Bill Maher attacked Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for his support in rolling back environmental regulations. (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images) Though Maher claimed Burgum was supporting "nonsense," many social media users pointed out that carbon monoxide, which is produced in car exhaust, is not the same as carbon dioxide. "I normally like Bill Maher, but trying to dunk on someone for climate change denialism while not understanding the difference between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide pretty much sums up the unearned sense of moral superiority on the left," Outkick writer Ian Miller wrote.Meteorologist Chris Martz commented, "I like Bill Maher a lot, but someone needs to explain to him the difference between virtually harmless carbon dioxide (CO₂) and poisoning by carbon monoxide (CO). Also, I’d be happy to debate Maher about climate change. Fly me out to LA and I’ll be there." BILL MAHER SYMPATHIZES WITH YOUNG MEN WHO STRUGGLE WITH DATING, BUT TELLS THEM TO GROW UP US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, House Speaker Mike Johnson and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin watch as US President Donald Trump sign an executive order directing the military to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants during a "Champion of Coal" event at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2026. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)"Different carbon, different effect, CO = deadly CO2 = plant food / exhaled by all breathing animals," Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote. Fox News Digital reached out to "Real Time" for comment. Burgum's office, the U.S. Department of the Interior, referred to President Donald Trump's Truth Social post on Maher's show when reached for comment.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced on Thursday that he would be eliminating the "2009 Obama EPA Endangerment Finding," which set in motion most federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles.The 2009 finding previously claimed that carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and three other greenhouse gases "endanger the public health and welfare of current and future generations" under the Clean Air Act. TRUMP TEARS INTO 'JERK' BILL MAHER ON TRUTH SOCIAL, SAYS HOSTING HIM AT WHITE HOUSE WAS 'TOTAL WASTE OF TIME' Several social media users pointed out that carbon monoxide, which is found in exhaust, is different from carbon dioxide. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)Burgum expressed support for the decision in a comment to The Wall Street Journal."More energy drives human flourishing," Burgum said. "Energy abundance is the thing that we have to focus on, not regulating certain forms of energy out." CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News' Charles Creitz contributed to this report. Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to
[email protected] and on Twitter: @lmkornick. Related Topics MediaEnvironmental RegulationCarbon Emissions Fox News First Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Arrives Weekdays By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribe Subscribed Subscribe You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
