Bill Maher used Friday’s episode of HBO’s “Real Time” to renew his criticism of rapper Macklemore, bringing up a 12-year-old costume controversy days after Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” over remarks about Gaza.
“Everyone’s paying more. Macklemore had to pay an arm and a leg for a giant fake prosthetic ‘Jew’ nose,” Maher said, referencing a 2014 stage costume in which Macklemore wore a dark wig, beard and fake nose. Macklemore apologized on his website at the time, writing, “Family, friends and fans alike who know me well, know that I’m absolutely not the person described in certain headlines today. There is no worse feeling than being misunderstood, especially when people are hurt or offended.”
The controversy stems from a show in New Jersey, where Macklemore told the crowd, “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so that I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine.”
Maher, 43-year-old Macklemore’s frequent critic, went on to describe the rapper’s role on Sheeran’s tour in blunt terms. “So, Ed Sheeran let Macklemore be his opening act on his tour. And when I say, ‘act,’ he goes out there and repeats lies about how Gaza is a genocide,” Maher said, adding, “Not that they care, but that’s a lie.”
Maher also mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was asked whether she would change the radio station if a Sheeran song came on and answered, “Yes. Yes, I would.” “Everyone is just really so stupid,” Maher said. “You know, AOC? Way ahead of you. I’ve always changed the channel when [Ed Sheeran comes on].”
Kraft cancels the venue, then donates millions
The dispute widened after Macklemore said in an Instagram post that Sheeran told him New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft would not let him perform at Gillette Stadium, which the Kraft Group owns. Maher sided with Kraft on the point. “Robert Kraft, who is a rich guy owns the Patriots, owns the stadium where this concert was about to take place, he was understandably offended by this and said, ‘You can’t play my stadium,'” Maher said.
After being dropped from the tour, Macklemore donated $1 million to Palestinian aid efforts and challenged Kraft to match it. Kraft responded by pledging $2 million toward humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Later in the broadcast, Maher took aim at musicians using concerts as political platforms generally. “I think just any kind of echo of that old cancel culture from the past is going to be a loser in today’s environment,” he said. “Is anyone looking for any of this at a concert? I mean, do I really need a lecture on politics of any stripe right when the molly is kicking in? It’s so arrogant on both their sides.”
Pushback on Maher’s argument
Political commentator Kaivan Shroff, a former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer, told Fox News Digital that Maher’s position is inconsistent given his own career. “Maher’s whole premise falls apart the minute he starts mocking celebrities for having political opinions. Bill Maher is a celebrity with an opinion on virtually everything,” Shroff said. “He can think Macklemore is wrong, AOC is ridiculous or Ed Sheeran is overrated. But pretending the problem is that entertainers are weighing in on politics is absurd when that has been his own business model for decades.”
Shroff said Maher’s mention of the 2014 costume had merit but was undercut by his other jabs. “The Macklemore costume is relevant, especially given the subject matter. But Maher takes that legitimate point and buries it under a bunch of cultural sniping,” he said, adding that Maher’s jokes about AOC and Sheeran’s music “may get a laugh, but it does not actually respond to her position in any meaningful way.”
Axia Public Relations CEO Jason Mudd said the ongoing back-and-forth reflects poorly on how Sheeran has handled the situation. “Every hour of silence gives someone else the opportunity to control the narrative,” Mudd told Fox News Digital. “Strong crisis decisions share three things: They’re fast. They’re clear. They’re final. Sheeran doesn’t need a new decision. He needs one decision he can stand behind.”
Mudd added that Sheeran should settle on a single explanation rather than continue to revisit the controversy publicly. “If Sheeran were my client, I’d advise him to pick a direction and hold it. One clear explanation is enough. Circling back to it in public is a common mistake. It’s perceived as doubt and invites more discussion and debate.”
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for both Macklemore and Sheeran for comment.
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