Swifties outraged at Bill Maher for tasteless Taylor Swift joke

Comedian and television host Bill Maher has found himself at the center of controversy following remarks about pop superstar Taylor Swift during a recent episode of his show, “Real Time with Bill Maher.” Maher quipped that “the world is upside down” because Swift’s relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce has lasted for more than a year.

Swift’s dedicated fanbase, known as “Swifties,” swiftly took to social media to express their disapproval. Many labeled Maher’s comments as outdated and sexist, criticizing him for perpetuating stereotypes about Swift’s personal life.  One fan commented, “Yawn. Old comedians lose relevance because their jokes are stale and stuck in the past,” while another added, “Taylor Swift ‘humor’ is low-hanging fruit. Boo, Bill. Boo.”

This incident isn’t the first time Maher has made remarks about Swift. In a July 2024 episode of his “Club Random” podcast, he referred to Swift’s public romance with Kelce as “tacky” and predicted that Kelce would eventually “dump her.” Maher also criticized Swift for wearing Kelce’s jersey to games, suggesting that such behavior was unbecoming for someone of her age and stature.

Swift, 35, and Kelce, 34, have been in a relationship for over a year, a duration that Maher found surprising given Swift’s past shorter relationships. He humorously compared the situation 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.”

Fans argue that Maher’s jokes are not only unoriginal but also perpetuate a narrative that undermines Swift’s agency and success. They point out that Swift has been in several long-term relationships and that focusing on her dating history diminishes her accomplishments as a musician and businesswoman.

The backlash against Maher highlights a broader conversation about the treatment of female celebrities in the media. Swift herself has previously addressed this issue, calling out sexist remarks and advocating for a shift in how women’s personal lives are discussed publicly. In 2021, she criticized the Netflix show “Ginny & Georgia” for a joke about her dating history, labeling it as “deeply sexist.”