--- title: "Bill Maher criticizes Macklemore over Gaza remarks and 2014 costume" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/media/bill-maher-criticizes-macklemore-over-gaza-remarks-and-2014-costume" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/bill-maher-criticizes-macklemore-over-gaza-remarks-and-2014-costume" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/bill-maher-criticizes-macklemore-over-gaza-remarks-and-2014-costume.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/bill-maher-criticizes-macklemore-over-gaza-remarks-and-2014-costume" category: "Media" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-09-20T09:46:12.243Z" source_reported: "2026-09-20T06:13:37.000Z" updated: "2026-09-20T09:46:12.243Z" trust_score: 66 critic_score: 87 hype_score: 32 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-20T09:45:26.684220+00:00" --- # Bill Maher criticizes Macklemore over Gaza remarks and 2014 costume *Comedian Bill Maher revisited rapper Macklemore's past controversial costume and recent pro-Palestinian comments on his show.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 66 of 100, higher is better. Trust 66 because the full report names sources, quotes a social post, provides figures, and gives dates. - Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87 as the article gives context, includes quotes, separates fact from comment, and lists specific figures. - Hype 32 of 100, lower is better. Hype 32; language is mildly emphatic but the headline matches the article’s content without exaggeration. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Bill Maher criticized Macklemore on HBO's 'Real Time' on September 19, 2026, focusing on a 2014 costume and recent pro-Palestinian comments. - Macklemore wore a costume in 2014 that included a fake nose, wig, and beard, which was described as an antisemitic caricature. - Macklemore had previously donated $1 million to Palestinian aid efforts, and Robert Kraft pledged $2 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. - Maher stated that Macklemore's characterization of the Gaza war as genocide was a lie. Comedian Bill Maher renewed his criticism of rapper Macklemore on his HBO show 'Real Time' on September 19, 2026. Maher discussed a 2014 costume controversy involving Macklemore, alongside the rapper's recent comments regarding Gaza. Macklemore had worn a costume in 2014 that included a dark wig, beard, and fake nose, which led to accusations of antisemitism. Macklemore had previously apologized for the costume, stating it was not intended as a stereotype. Maher's remarks followed Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's 'Loop Tour' after a pro-Palestinian speech. Maher called Macklemore's characterization of the Gaza war as genocide a lie. The rapper had stood by his calls for a free Palestine and donated $1 million to Palestinian aid efforts. Separately, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, pledged $2 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Maher also criticized musicians for using concerts to deliver political messages. ## Disagreement on Macklemore's apology The full reports from KRCR and WGME state that Macklemore apologized at the time for the 2014 costume, saying he did not intend to offend anyone and that it was a random costume, not a stereotype. None of the other reports, which are digests, mention Macklemore's apology. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports mention that Macklemore apologized for his 2014 costume. No left-rated outlet ran this story. ## Who covered it Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 0% (0) - Centre: 23% (3) - Right: 77% (10) 0 of 13 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-20T09:45:26.684220+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 3 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-20T10:30:30.652Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports from KRCR and WGME led with Bill Maher criticizing Macklemore. They detailed Maher's comments on the 2014 costume controversy, including the fake nose, wig, and beard, and the accusations of antisemitism. These reports also covered Macklemore's pro-Palestinian speech, Maher's dismissal of it as a lie, and the rapper's $1 million donation to Palestinian aid. They noted Robert Kraft's $2 million pledge for Gaza and Maher's broader criticism of musicians using concerts for political messages. Both KRCR and WGME published the full text of their articles. ### Right - The right-rated reports, which were all digests, focused on Bill Maher criticizing Macklemore. They mentioned the rapper's 2014 costume controversy and his recent remarks about Gaza. These digests reported that Macklemore had been removed from Ed Sheeran's tour due to his comments. The digests also noted Macklemore's donation to Palestinian aid and Robert Kraft's pledge for Gaza. The Beltway Report digest additionally mentioned pushback against Maher's own commentary record. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - high: 3 - veryHigh: 9 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Beltway Report](https://thebeltwayreport.com/2026/09/bill-maher-revives-macklemores-2014-costume-controversy-amid-ed-sheeran-tour-fallout) — Bill Maher Revives Macklemore’s 2014 Costume Controversy Amid Ed Sheeran Tour Fallout - [KSNV](https://news3lv.com/news/nation-world/gallery/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [Fox 17](https://fox17.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [WCHS](https://wchstv.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [WEAR](https://weartv.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [KRCR](https://krcrtv.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [WGME](https://wgme.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [WPEC](https://cbs12.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [KRNV](https://mynews4.com/news/nation-world/gallery/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [WCYB](https://wcyb.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [KFDM](https://kfdm.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [KVAL](https://kval.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy - [KDBC](https://cbs4local.com/news/nation-world/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-macklemore-amid-gaza-remarks-old-jew-costume-controversy-real-time-comedian-political-commentator-dark-wig-beard-fake-prosthetic-nose-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-gillette-stadium) — Bill Maher takes aim at Macklemore amid Gaza remarks, old 'Jew' costume controversy ## Questions **What was the 2014 costume controversy involving Macklemore?** In 2014, Macklemore wore a costume during a Seattle performance that included a dark wig, beard, and a fake prosthetic nose. This costume led to accusations that it portrayed an antisemitic caricature. Macklemore later apologized, stating he did not intend to offend anyone and that it was a random costume. **Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour?** Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's 'Loop Tour' after making a pro-Palestinian speech at a concert. Bill Maher, on his show 'Real Time', called Macklemore's characterization of the Gaza war as genocide a lie. **What donations were mentioned in relation to the story?** Macklemore donated $1 million to Palestinian aid efforts. Additionally, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, pledged $2 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/media/bill-maher-criticizes-macklemore-over-gaza-remarks-and-2014-costume. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Bill Maher criticizes Macklemore over Gaza remarks and 2014 costume", https://mediabias.news/media/bill-maher-criticizes-macklemore-over-gaza-remarks-and-2014-costume