Bill Maher slams Macklemore over Gaza comments and 2014 costume on HBO

During Friday’s episode of Real Time, Bill Maher launched a scathing critique of Macklemore, referencing the rapper’s 2014 stage outfit that featured a fake prosthetic nose and dark wig. Maher condemned Macklemore’s recent comments describing the Israel-Hamas war as genocide, which resulted in the artist being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. He noted Macklemore’s subsequent apology and his $1 million pledge to Palestinian relief, juxtaposed with Robert Kraft’s $2 million donation after the rapper urged a matching contribution.

Maher also dismissed the notion that entertainers should avoid political statements, labeling such “cancel culture” as outdated. The discussion touched on AOC’s reaction to Sheeran’s involvement and included criticism from commentator Kaivan Shroff, who called Maher’s stance hypocritical. Finally, Axia Public Relations CEO Jason Mudd urged Sheeran to make a clear, decisive response to the controversy.