Bill Maher is facing criticism after making comments about Taylor Swift’s relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce during a recent episode of ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’.
The comedian joked that “the world is upside down” because Swift’s romance with Kelce has lasted for over a year.
His remark did not sit well with Swift’s devoted fanbase, known as the Swifties, who quickly took to social media to express their disapproval.
Many fans called out Maher’s statement as outdated and sexist, accusing him of perpetuating tired stereotypes about Swift’s personal life.
One critic on social media remarked, “Yawn. Old comedians lose relevance because their jokes are stale and stuck in the past.” Another added, “Taylor Swift ‘humor’ is low-hanging fruit. Boo, Bill. Boo.”
This isn’t the first time Maher has made controversial remarks about the pop icon. In a July 2024 episode of his Club Random podcast, he described Swift’s public relationship with Kelce as “tacky” and predicted that the football star would eventually “dump her.”
He also criticized Swift for wearing Kelce’s jersey to his games, implying that it was inappropriate for someone of her age and status.
At 35, Swift has been in a committed relationship with Kelce, 34, for over a year—a fact that Maher seemed to find surprising given her past shorter relationships.
In his attempt at humor, he compared their romance to political breakups, saying, “It only took Trump weeks to break up with Ukraine, Mexico, and Canada, but Taylor Swift has had the same boyfriend for over a year.”
Bill Maher receives major backlash for ‘sexist’ comment
Swift’s fans argue that Maher’s comments not only lack originality but also reinforce a problematic narrative that diminishes her achievements.
They point out that the pop star has been in long-term relationships before and that the focus on her dating history overlooks her immense success as a musician, songwriter, and entrepreneur.
This backlash also feeds into a larger discussion about how female celebrities are treated in the media. Swift has been vocal about this issue in the past, frequently calling out sexist remarks and advocating for a shift in the way women’s personal lives are discussed.
In 2021, she publicly criticized the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia for making a joke about her dating history, calling it “deeply sexist.”
As of now, neither Maher nor Swift has commented on the controversy. However, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges female artists face in navigating public scrutiny and reinforces the need for a more respectful and modern conversation around women’s personal choices—especially when it comes to relationships.
