The long-running disagreement between Harry Potter author JK Rowling and comedian John Oliver has resurfaced, this time reigniting over transgender participation in sports.
Their previous public spat occurred in November when Oliver, during an episode of Last Week Tonight, asserted there was “no evidence” that transgender athletes “pose any threat to safety or fairness.” Rowling sharply criticised him at the time, saying he appeared “happy to watch females suffer injury, humiliation and the loss of sporting opportunities.”
Now, months later, the two are once again at odds. On Sunday’s episode, Oliver addressed what he called the right-wing movement’s fixation on transgender individuals in athletics. The segment primarily focused on Republican-led efforts to ban trans athletes from school sports.
Referring back to Rowling’s criticism, Oliver remarked, “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’d left him in that cupboard for the rest of his life.” He reaffirmed his previous stance, stating, “I stand by everything” he said during their earlier exchange.
Acknowledging the sensitive nature of the subject, Oliver noted that the discussion calls for subtlety. However, he also added, “You can basically say anything you want about trans people, as long as you tag on ‘in sports’ after it.”
Today (7 April), Rowling fired back through a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Oliver of sacrificing principle for popularity. “I understand why men like Oliver, who’ve consistently mocked anti-science people on the right, sold out initially. 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**** room.”
check out the post here:
I understand why men like Oliver, who’ve consistently mocked anti-science people on the right, sold out initially. 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 fucking room. https://t.co/FyEkqtaxcL
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 7, 2025
In a separate post, she went further, criticising ongoing narratives she claims are outdated. “They’re still regurgitating Twitter TRA [trans rights activist] talking points from 2020. I can’t imagine anyone being so far up their own backside they haven’t noticed that this nonsensical crap is facing a massive grassroots backlash, that it loses elections and that girls and women are being harmed.”
The renewed dispute places Warner Bros. Discovery in a delicate position, as both Rowling and Oliver are affiliated with the company. Rowling is currently involved in the development of a new Harry Potter TV series, while Oliver’s show continues to air on HBO — both under the same corporate umbrella.
