Bill Maher has recently launched a critique against Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan, accusing them of an ‘ironic’ critique of Western civilization. He expressed frustration, suggesting their views reveal a misunderstanding of American values.
During his show, Real Time with Bill Maher, the comedian targeted the two prominent pop stars, referring to them as ‘kids’ and criticizing them for denouncing Western culture while benefiting from its advantages.
Maher remarked, “If you ask Billie Eilish or Chappell Roan about Western values, they’ll likely describe them as rooted in oppression,” adding a contrast to their perception.
“But Western values are not about oppression,” he continued. “They encompass the rule of law, respect for minorities, democracy, and scientific inquiry.”
He emphasized that these positive contributions originated from Western society, expressing a desire for educational institutions to reintroduce this perspective.
Maher’s comments followed the recent 68th Grammy Awards, where prominent artists, including Eilish, used their platform to criticize President Donald Trump and his administration.
Eilish’s Wildflower won Song of the Year, and she and her brother Finneas used their acceptance speech to speak out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) proclaiming, ‘No one is illegal on stolen land’.
‘It’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now and I just feel really hopeful in this room and I feel like we need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting,’ Eilish said earlier this month.
Bill Maher ripped into Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan on Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, claiming their ‘ironic’ stance on Western civilization proves they ‘don’t know what the f*** America is about’
Eilish’s Wildflower won Song of the Year at the Grammy’s earlier this month, and she and her brother Finneas used their acceptance speech to proclaim, ‘No one is illegal on stolen land’
‘Our voices really do matter and the people matter,’ she added. ‘F*** ICE is all I have to say, sorry.’
Chappell Roan has also repeatedly blasted the US government in front of packed arenas, most recently during a California show where she praised Los Angeles as the city ‘that took care of me’.
‘And it’s only my duty to take care of it. F*** ICE forever,’ Roan shouted, igniting a wave of cheers from the crowd.
In his blistering opening, Maher ridiculed the ‘kids’ for misunderstanding ‘what the f***’ Western civilization means, claiming they’ve reduced it to ‘Western means white, and white means bad’.
He argued that atrocities aren’t exclusive to white history, noting that people of color have committed them as well – particularly highlighting the Japanese before and during World War II, as well as Genghis Khan.
The Japanese invasion of China from 1937 to 1945 was marked by extreme violence, driven by a ruthless quest for territory, resources and military dominance.
As one of history’s most savage wars, it was defined by mass killings, horrifying atrocities and systematic rape, with sexual violence reported in 4,000 to 80,000 cases, according to EBSCO.
Chappell Roan has also repeatedly blasted the US government in front of packed arenas, most recently during a California show where she said ‘F*** ICE forever’
Maher ridiculed the ‘kids’ for reducing the meaning of ‘Western’ to ‘white, and white means bad.’ He also argued that atrocities aren’t exclusive to white history
Maher highlighted the Japanese invasion of China from 1937 to 1945 (pictured), which was defined by mass killings, horrifying atrocities and systematic rape, with sexual violence reported in 4,000 to 80,000 cases
Maher also brought up Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire – the largest contiguous empire in history – and one of history’s most ruthless conquerors.
The late-night host, admitting he could go ‘on and on’ about history’s brutalities, claimed that ‘the left is very down on America and very down on the West’.
‘It’s ironic because the West has also given us everything that makes your life good here,’ Maher said, adding that schools no longer teach these facts.
Roan’s anti‑ICE rant last month prompted DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin to snap back at the star with a blistering statement to TMZ.
‘Pink Pony Club is good. Pedophiles are bad. That’s who we’re getting off of our streets. Get a grip,’ she said.
However, earlier this month, Roan made headlines again after leaving the Wasserman talent agency, following the mention of its founder, Casey Wasserman, in the latest release of the Epstein files.
The late-night host also mentioned Genghis Khan (pictured), founder of the Mongol Empire – the largest contiguous empire in history – and one of history’s most ruthless conquerors
‘It’s ironic because the West has also given us everything that makes your life good here,’ Maher said, adding that schools no longer teach these facts
She revealed her departure from the agency on Instagram, declaring she has a ‘duty to protect her team’ and insisting that ‘meaningful change in our industry requires accountability’.
‘No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values,’ she said.
In a September 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, Roan revealed that she turned down a White House Pride invitation to protest US actions in Gaza.
Her outspoken views on wars, drag bans, and limited health-care access for trans people and those seeking abortions have, she told the outlet, caused her to ‘hate both sides’.
‘I’m pretty, “F*** the government, and f*** everything that’s going on right now”,’ she said with her middle fingers in the air.
‘I don’t have a side because I hate both sides, and I’m so embarrassed about everything going on right now,’ she added.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Roan and Eilish for comment.
