J.K. Rowling and John Oliver are once again at odds over transgender rights—this time following an episode of Last Week Tonight in which Oliver devoted the majority of the show to debunking right-wing myths about trans athletes.
The episode, which aired Sunday, took direct aim at the political fixation on transgender individuals in sports, specifically challenging misinformation surrounding alleged threats to fairness and safety. Oliver reaffirmed that there is “no evidence” trans athletes are jeopardizing women’s sports and called out the exaggerated claims—often weaponized by politicians—that have fueled a wave of anti-trans legislation in the U.S. and abroad.
“There are vanishingly few trans girls competing in school sports,” Oliver said. “You can basically say anything you want about trans people, as long as you tag on ‘in sports’ after it.”
That segment reignited a clash between Oliver and Rowling that began last November, when the Harry Potter author publicly criticized Oliver’s earlier statements defending trans athletes. At the time, Rowling posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Oliver was “an undoubtedly intelligent person” who “spouts absolute bulls*** to support something he wants to be true, but isn’t.”
This week, Rowling responded once again, escalating the rhetoric. Quoting a clip from Oliver’s latest episode, she wrote, “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**ing room.” *
The tweet continued a familiar pattern for Rowling, who has spent the last several years using her platform to oppose the inclusion of transgender women in women’s spaces—particularly athletics. Her critics, including many former fans and LGBTQ+ advocates, have called her views transphobic, a label she firmly denies.
Oliver, for his part, was clear in his defense of trans individuals. During Sunday’s show, he addressed the now-debunked claim—promoted by Rowling and others—that cisgender athletes had “lost 900 medals” to trans competitors. Oliver explained that this figure was based on flawed data, including informal competitions such as “a fun run in Topeka, Kansas” and an Irish dance event.
“A lot of what you see online may not be quite what you think it is,” Oliver said. “This issue has become an obsession for Republicans. Last year alone, they spent more than $116 million on TV ads targeting trans athletes.”
He also criticized former President Donald Trump’s recent executive order seeking to ban transgender girls and women from participating in school and collegiate sports, calling it a cynical political move that harms already marginalized youth.
Rowling, however, has continued to position herself as a defender of women’s rights, portraying trans inclusion in sports as a danger to fairness and safety. In another recent post, she wrote, “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.”
The back-and-forth highlights a broader cultural struggle over how society views and treats transgender individuals. For many in the transgender community—and their allies—this isn’t just about sports. It’s about dignity, inclusion, and the right to live authentically without being scapegoated or vilified.
Advocacy groups such as GLAAD have condemned efforts to restrict trans participation in sports, stating, “All women and girls, including transgender women and girls, should be welcome to play sports if they want, make decisions about their own bodies, be hired for jobs they are qualified for, and be free from lawless attacks by elected officials.”
While Rowling’s name has become a rallying cry for some who oppose trans inclusion, her outspoken stance has also prompted significant backlash. Stars of the Harry Potter film series—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—have all publicly distanced themselves from her views, reaffirming their support for the trans community.
Oliver, whose show has consistently defended LGBTQ+ rights, also didn’t hold back when addressing Rowling directly. “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 if they left him in that cupboard for the rest of his life,” he quipped.
The segment, though humorous at times, was deeply rooted in fact-checking and advocacy. It served as a powerful reminder of the importance of pushing back against harmful narratives—particularly when those narratives have real-world consequences for transgender youth.
The Bottom Line
In an era where misinformation spreads quickly, public figures like John Oliver choosing to stand with the transgender community offers a much-needed counterbalance. His message was clear: trans athletes are not a threat—they are individuals who deserve the same opportunities, rights, and respect as anyone else.
For the transgender community, especially young trans people navigating hostile environments, visibility and support from allies in media matters. It helps affirm what should already be obvious: that everyone has the right to live, play, and compete as who they truly are.
