LOS ANGELES — Longtime political commentator Bill Maher and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson engaged in a fiery exchange after the scientist questioned a claim about the biological differences between men and women.
During a Friday episode of “Real Time With Bill Maher,” Maher addressed the controversy surrounding Laura Helmuth, former editor-in-chief of Scientific American who resigned after making disparaging remarks about supporters of President-elect Donald Trump.
He went on to jab at a piece published by Scientific American suggesting the differences between how males and females perform in sports are societal, not biological.
“That’s nuts,” Maher said. “And it sure ain’t scientific and it’s in Scientific American and that’s why Democrats lost the election.”
“Bill, every 20 minutes on your platform, you come up with another reason why the Democrats lost,” Tyson said after laughing at Maher’s remark. “You already have the answer, they lost the election, so anything you say is why they did it.”
Tyson’s response prompted Maher to question how much Tyson watches his show.
“First of all, you don’t watch this show, so you don’t know,” Maher replied. “I know you don’t and it’s OK, but you talk as if you do.”
Tyson then noted Helmuth no longer works at Scientific American, saying the magazine shouldn’t be judged entirely by what happened under her leadership.
“Why can’t you just say this is not scientific and Scientific American should do better?” Maher asked.
Tyson again dodged the question, claiming women might have an advantage over men in long-distance swimming.
“Well, I’m going to file you under ‘part of the problem,’ ” Maher said.
Maher pressed Tyson again during the show’s “Overtime” segment. That discussion surrounded the effectivity of vaccines and whether avoiding a vaccine is worth the potential risk of infection.
“Science matters in this,” Tyson said.
“Of course it does,” Maher replied.
“Sometimes you don’t sound that way and that’s what worries me,” Tyson said.
“You’re the guy who doesn’t understand why the [WNBA] team can’t beat the [Los Angeles] Lakers,” Maher fired back. “You’re supposed to be the scientist and you couldn’t even admit that.”
The clash between Maher and Tyson comes at a time of tense debate in Washington, D.C., surrounding the transgender community. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., last week offered to allow Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Del., to use his private office bathroom after multiple Republican lawmakers spoke out against her use of the women’s facilities.
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