Bill Maher and famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson clashed over America’s oldest magazine and its stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
The comedian and scientist repeatedly debated why Democrats lost the election during Friday’s episode of Real Time.
Maher began the debate by asking Tyson about Scientific American editor Laura Helmuth’s decision to resign after posting a series of foul-mouthed attacks on President-elect Donald Trump.
‘It certainly didn’t sound scientific. It didn’t sound like the person I would want running Scientific American. It was a rant on Twitter. I could read it to you. It’s really ugly. You know, “I apologize to the younger voters that my Gen-X is so full of damn fascists,” Maher said.
‘Okay. I’m not for canceling people on either side, but here’s what I think the scandal is. This is what Scientific American said less than a year ago: “inequality between male and female athletes results, not from inherent biological differences between the sexes, but from biases in the way they are treated in sports.”
‘That’s crazy. And it’s certainly not scientific. And it’s in Scientific American. And that’s why the Democrats lost the election. It’s true.’
Maher referred to a piece published on November 1, 2023 entitled ‘The theory that men evolved to hunt and women evolved to gather is wrong’, which discussed the biological differences between men and women.
Tyson made fun of Maher for claiming transgender issues were the reason Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential election.
Maher started the debate by asking Tyson about the Scientific American editor’s decision to resign after posting a series of foul-mouthed attacks on President-elect Donald Trump.
Tyson made fun of Maher for claiming transgender issues were the reason Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential election
“Bill, every twenty minutes on your platform you come up with another reason why the Democrats lost. You already have the answer. They lost the election. So whatever you say about why they didn’t do that,” the astrophysicist said before Maher interrupted.
“First of all, you don’t watch this show, so you don’t know. It’s okay, but you’re talking like you do and you fucking don’t. That’s okay, but don’t make fun of me. That’s the one thing people on this show can never do: bully me,” Maher said.
“And that’s fine, but I’m not saying that. I have very good reasons. But run with the idea here. What I’m asking is that Scientific American is basically saying that the reason an NBA or WNBA team can’t beat the Lakers is because of societal prejudices.’
Tyson countered Maher’s criticism of the piece and the magazine for publishing it, arguing it was an old piece, but Maher doubled down.
“Why can’t you just say this isn’t scientific and Scientific American should do better,” he said.
“I think a year ago women still couldn’t beat men in basketball or any other sport, and it wasn’t because of society. Don’t you see a problem here?’
The astrophysicist told Maher that women could have a biological advantage in long-distance swimming.
“Well, I’m going to classify you as ‘part of the problem,’” Maher said.
Tyson countered Maher’s criticism of the piece and the magazine for publishing it, arguing it was an old piece, but Maher doubled down.
Maher referenced a piece titled “The Theory That Men Evolved to Hunt and Women Evolved to Gather Is Wrong,” which discussed the biological differences between men and women.
The two argued about the topic again during the Overtime segment of the show, as they discussed patients getting a second medical opinion.
Tyson argued that in most cases people don’t need a second opinion, but Maher insisted that people do.
“I try to give credit to doctors where our life expectancy is three times what it was 150 years ago. And everyone before 150 years ago ate organic! And half of them died before they were 35. Science is important,” Tyson said.
“Of course,” Maher replied.
‘Sometimes you don’t sound like that. That’s what concerns me,” Tyson said.
Maher hit back, “Basically you’re the guy who doesn’t understand why the WNBA team can’t beat the Lakers so I don’t know, you’re supposed to be the scientist and you couldn’t even admit that. ! And as for medicine, I could talk to you about this all day, but again, we have a party to attend. This is not your field, you are not a doctor.’
‘I’m a scientist! Excuse me,” Tyson scoffed.
‘That’s not a doctor! That’s not a doctor! If I have goitre on Uranus, I’ll call you,” Maher said.