Bill Maher mixes up carbon gases while mocking Doug Burgum

It turns out that “Real Time” host Bill Maher mistakenly confused carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in an attempt to mock Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for loosening environmental regulations.

On Friday’s show, Maher commented on the Trump administration’s decision to roll back Obama-era greenhouse gas rules, calling it “the biggest move in American history” and singled out Burgum by name.

“Doug Burgum, that’s the secretary of the interior.” Maher said. “Listen to this, they’re all lining up behind this bullshit. He said CO2, carbon, is never a pollutant. He said we emit CO2 when we breathe. OK, Doug, you know what? Let’s try this little experiment. When you get home tonight, go into the garage, close the door, start the car and see if carbon is a pollutant, okay? Thank you very much.”

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Although Maher claimed Burgum was supporting “nonsense,” many social media users pointed out that carbon monoxide produced in car exhaust is not the same as carbon dioxide.

“I normally like Bill Maher, but trying to accuse someone of climate change denialism without understanding the difference between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide pretty much sums up the left’s unearned sense of moral superiority,” wrote Outkick writer Ian Miller.

Meteorologist Chris Martz commented: “I love Bill Maher, but someone needs to explain to him the difference between virtually harmless carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. I’d also be happy to debate climate change with Maher. Fly me to Los Angeles, I’ll be there.”

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U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, House Speaker Mike Johnson and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin watch as U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order directing the military to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants during the “Coal Champion” event at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2026. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

“Different carbon, different potency, CO = deadly CO2 = phytonutrients/breathed by all breathing animals,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote.

Fox News Digital has reached out to “Real Time” for comment.

Burgum’s office cited the U.S. Department of Internal Affairs and President Donald Trump’s statement. Real Social post on Maher’s show when reached for comment.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Thursday that he will eliminate the “2009 Obama EPA Endangerment Finding” that prompted most federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles.

The 2009 finding had previously claimed that carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and three other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act “endanger the public health and well-being of current and future generations.”

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Many social media users pointed out that carbon monoxide in exhaust is different from carbon dioxide. (Rick Bowmer/AP Photo)

Burgum voiced his support for the decision in a comment to The Wall Street Journal.

“More energy allows people to thrive,” Burgum said. “Energy abundance is what we should be focusing on, not trying to contain certain types of energy.”

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Fox News’ Charles Creitz contributed to this report.