Bill Maher Discusses the Reality of Cancel Culture
On a recent episode of HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher addressed the contentious issue of “cancel culture,”declaring it a tangible phenomenon. During his conversation with the renowned author and humorist David Sedaris, Maher pointed to the recent controversy at the 2025 Oscars involving Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of the film Emilia Pérez, as compelling evidence of its impact.
The Oscars Controversy
Maher articulated his perspective, stating, “There are people who say cancel culture isn’t a real thing and I would say to them, ‘It just happened at the Oscars.'” He highlighted how significant momentum was building for Emilia Pérez, which was poised for major wins at the awards.
According to Maher, Hollywood was particularly excited at the prospect of breaking barriers by awarding the Best Actress Oscar to a transgender performer. He praised Gascón’s acting, saying, “God bless her, she did a great job.” However, her path to victory encountered a setback when controversial tweets resurfaced from her past, leading to a dramatic shift in public perception.
Gascón’s Tweets Under Scrutiny
Despite being the first openly transgender woman nominated for an Academy Award, Gascón faced backlash after tweets, described by Maher as “a little child-like,” came to light at the end of January. After this incident, Gascón opted for a low profile, missing both the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards and the Oscars red carpet, although she did attend the ceremony itself.
During the episode, Maher remarked on the nature of her tweets, suggesting they bore similarities to Kanye West’s infamous rants: “It was just whatever’s on the brain comes out.” He humorously advised against referencing Hitler, asserting, “I feel like it never comes out good.” Maher characterized Gascón’s honest expressions as being too provocative for the “woke community.”
The Aftermath and Oscar Results
The backlash ultimately contributed to Gascón falling out of contention for the coveted Oscar. Maher expressed that this shift exemplified the continuing presence of cancel culture, stating, “it may just be a little more subtle.”
In the end, the film Anora emerged as the significant winner of the night, capturing five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Gascón’s film managed to secure two Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña and Best Original Song for “El Mal.”
Following the uproar surrounding her past posts, Gascón later issued a heartfelt apology, expressing, “I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt. As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain. All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
The episode also featured insights from other guests, including Alyssa Farah Griffin and Senator Jon Tester, further diversifying the discussion about these pressing cultural issues.