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Things got heated between Bill Maher and Neil deGrasse Tyson as the two butted heads over their differing stances on transgender athletes in women’s sports, Scientific American magazine, and the Democrats’ loss in the election.
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Maher kicked off Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher by asking deGrasse Tyson about the recent departure of Scientific American’s editor Laura Helmuth, who stepped down after posting a string of attacks on social media about President-elect Donald Trump.
“It sure didn’t sound scientific. It didn’t sound like the person I would want to be running Scientific American. It was a rant on Twitter,” Maher said.
In part, Helmuth posted: “You know, ‘I apologize to younger voters that my Gen-X is so full of f***ing fascists.”
“OK. I’m not for cancelling people on either side, but here’s what I think is the scandal,” the host said. “This is in Scientific American less than a year ago: ‘Inequity between male and female athletes as a result, not of inherent biological differences between the sexes, but of biases in how they are treated in sports.’”
Maher ranted: “That’s nuts. And it sure ain’t scientific. And it’s in Scientific American. And that’s why the Democrats lost the election.”
Maher was referencing an article published on Nov. 1, 2023, titled “The Theory That Men Evolved to Hunt and Women Evolved to Gather Is Wrong” which explored the biological differences in males and females.
Tyson laughed at Maher for linking transgender issues to Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss in the presidential election.
“Bill, every 20 minutes on your platform, you come up with another reason why the Democrats lost. You already have the answer. They lost the election,” deGrasse Tyson laughed before Maher interrupted him.
The host noted that deGrasse Tyson doesn’t watch his show, so he doesn’t know what Maher says in each episode.
“Engage with the idea here,” Maher said. “What I’m asking is Scientific American is saying basically that the reason why a WNBA team can’t beat the Lakers is because of societal bias.”
The famed astrophysicist tried to deflect, but Maher continued on the offensive.
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“I think a year ago, women still couldn’t beat men in basketball or any other sport, and it wasn’t because of society. You don’t see a problem here?” Maher asked before posing deGrasse Tyson another question: “Why can’t you just say this is not scientific and that Scientific American should do better?”
Tyson countered, “Well, does she still have her job?” referring to Helmuth, to which Maher shouted, “Not because of this! I said the scandal is not her tweet… you don’t see a problem here?”
Tyson responded: “Long distance swimming, women might actually have the advantage, you look into that.”
A baffled Maher replied, “Well, I’m going to file you under ‘part of the problem.’”