Bill Maher reignited controversy on “Real Time” after sharply criticizing Billie Eilish’s Grammys remarks on immigration and “stolen land.”
The talk show host accused the singer of performative activism and shallow political messaging, claiming she doesn’t “know facts.”
Bill Maher questioned the logic and real-world implications of Billie Eilish’s statements, comparing them to protest slogans he argues ignore historical and political realities.
Bill Maher Questions Billie Eilish’s Political Remarks, Challenges Her Understanding Of History
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Maher used a recent episode of his “Real Time” show to criticize Eilish over comments she made during her Grammys acceptance speech, accusing the singer of engaging in performative activism.
During the HBO broadcast, the comedian mocked the singer’s statement that “there are no illegal people on stolen land,” before which she said, “‘It’s hard to know what to say.”
Maher suggested that if Eilish wasn’t confident in her understanding of the issue, she should have avoided commenting altogether. He questioned her grasp of history and policy, adding a jab about her homeschooling.
“Which I wouldn’t say. Then don’t say anything – because you don’t know things. So you didn’t go to school, I don’t think. And you don’t know facts,” Maher noted.
He also challenged the logic of her argument, asking what concrete outcome such a belief would lead to.
“What’s the practical next step if you say there is no such thing as illegal people on stolen land?” Maher wondered sarcastically. “Do we just go back to living in teepees?”
He also compared Eilish’s remarks to the slogan “From the river to the sea,” arguing that such rhetoric ignores political and historical realities. Maher emphasized that neither Angelenos nor Israelis are going to abandon their homes as a result of protest chants or celebrity speeches.
“The people of Los Angeles will not move, and neither will all Israelis from Gaza,” Maher stated, per the New York Post.
Billie Eilish’s Anti-ICE Grammy Speech Sparks Debate Over Indigenous Land And Activism
Eilish, who won Song of the Year for “Wildflower” at the February 1 Grammys ceremony, was among several performers who used the awards show to criticize President Donald Trump and ICE.
During her speech, the 24-year-old urged audiences to “keep fighting and speaking up and protesting,” ending her remarks with a blunt “f-ck ICE.”
Following the awards show, Eilish became the center of further controversy when reports resurfaced that her $3 million Los Angeles-area home sits on land historically tied to the Tongva people.
Critics accused the singer of hypocrisy, arguing that her statements would carry more weight if she relinquished the property or used it to directly support migrants.
The Tongva Tribe Responded To The Singer’s Remarks
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
As reported by The Blast, a spokesperson for the Tongva tribe confirmed that Eilish’s Glendale residence is located on their ancestral territory.
While the singer has not reached out to the tribe directly, the spokesperson noted appreciation for her public advocacy and emphasized the importance of clearly naming the specific Indigenous groups tied to the land whenever such a grand statement is made.
The Tongva tribe representative said, “It is our hope that in future discussions, the tribe can explicitly be referenced to ensure the public understands that the greater Los Angeles Basin remains Gabrieleno Tongva territory.”
Billie Eilish’s Uncle, Former Congressman Brian Baird Pushes Back On Backlash And Hypocrisy Claims
Lumeimages / MEGA
Amid the backlash, Eilish has since received vocal support from her family. Her uncle, former U.S. congressman Brian Baird, criticized people demanding the “Bad Guy” singer surrender her home, calling such arguments “disingenuous.”
According to the Daily Mail, the politician pointed to the family’s long history of supporting immigrant communities, stating: “Our family has done a lot for the immigrant community and their cause.”
Baird, who represented Washington’s Third Congressional District and previously worked as a psychologist, also condemned ICE enforcement practices, claiming they have resulted in serious harm to civilians.
While he declined to say whether the controversy had personally affected Eilish, Baird confirmed that the family has remained in close contact throughout the criticism.
The Singer Condemns Civil Rights Abuses During Her MLK Awards Speech
Jim Ruymen/UPI Newscom/ MEGA
The Grammy Awards controversy comes amid Eilish’s broader philanthropic and activist work.
In the past year, she donated $11.5 million from her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour to causes addressing climate change and food insecurity.
She was also honored at the 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards in Atlanta with an Environmental Justice Award.
During that ceremony, Eilish expressed unease about receiving praise amid ongoing political and social turmoil, saying it “felt very strange to be celebrated for working toward environmental justice at a time where it feels less achievable than ever, given the state of our country and the world right now.”
“The Therefore I Am” singer also referenced the recent death of Minnesota resident Renee Good during an ICE encounter, condemning what she described as escalating abuses of power against civilians and protesters.
“We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped,” she said at the time.
Even though Eilish continues to receive criticism for her recent “stolen land” comment, she has yet to directly address the backlash. But the singer was recently spotted out looking tense while going for a walk with her dog.