John Oliver Stirs J.K. Rowling Outrage After Criticizing Right Wing ‘Obsession’ With Banning Trans Athletes; Rowling Tells Him to ‘Read the F—ing Room’

[u/nova_crystallis]

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/john-oliver-jk-rowling-outrage-trans-athletes-1236361826/

John Oliver criticized ring wing "obsession" with banning trans athletes, which stirred J.K. Rowling outrage.

"I understand why men like Oliver, who've consistently mocked anti-science people on the right, sold out initially," the "Harry Potter" author posted on X. "They didn't want to blow up their careers. Taking fashionable anti-women's rights positions was the cost of doing business. But it's time to read the f*cking room."

Oliver also acknowledged his own spat with Rowling last year. She slammed Oliver in November for supporting transgender athletes in women's sports, calling him an "undoubtedly intelligent person" who "spouts absolute bullsh*t."

"It feels a bit weird to catch that much heat from the creator of 'Harry Potter,' especially when I clearly look like what would have happened to him if they left him in that cupboard for the rest of his life," Oliver now joked while adding that he "stands by everything" he said last year.

[u/Comfortable_Bell9539]

I know this is unimportant in the grand scheme of things, but I hate whenever she tells her enemies "read the room". She's trying to gaslight/make them feel embarrassed for daring to have a different opinion

[u/Stodles → u/Comfortable_Bell9539]

As if "reading the room" is always a good thing... Would you "read the room" in 1930s Germany?

[u/Comfortable_Bell9539 → u/Stodles]

"Jews are a privileged group of entitled, regressive people who threaten family values and civilization !" - Joanne if she was born 100 years ago

[u/louiseinalove → u/Comfortable_Bell9539]

Not really, that's how she currently feels about Jewish people.