Trigger warning: This article includes mention of eating disorders.

Bill Maher made a blunt joke about Ariana Grande‘s weight that elicited strong reactions from the audience of his late-night show.

On the Friday, August 7 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, the stand-up comedian, 70, addressed the latest batch of UFO files released to the public.

“I’ve said this before: I hope the aliens are here. I do. I hope they’re here and watching us, and they’re going to save us,” Maher declared in his opening monologue. “And by the way, the administration this week, just a few days ago, maybe yesterday, they unleashed a new trove of UFO files.”

He continued, “Interesting things in there. Triangular craft, weird lights over an army base, a stick-like figure with large eyes — oh, that was just an Ariana Grande video.”

The audience clapped and hooted at that joke. But when Maher added, “We kid. I’m sorry. Maybe that joke will make her eat something,” members of the crowd groaned. He added, “I’m saying maybe it will help.”

In the comments of a video of the jab posted on TikTok, viewers were divided in their reactions. One follower insisted, “Bill Maher for president.”

Another shared, “Bill Maher calling out the BS is awesome. Wish we had more of this across media,” as someone else wrote, “That left hook of a joke. That’s the humour America needs right now.”

However, others weren’t impressed at the Grande comment. One TikTok user pointed out, “The Ariana Joke… Not cool. She is more than likely battling something, Bill. Not cool. The rest of it…..pretty funny.”

A second critic scolded, “Uh… so I guess making fun of someone with end-stage anorexia nervosa that is clearly going to die sooner than later without intervention is super hilarious to some people? I never could get over Bill’s insufferable smugness, but at least he used to be kinda funny.”

On August 2, Grande, 33, announced that she is “taking a step back from visibility” after her Eternal Sunshine Tour ends amid ongoing criticism.

“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” a rep for Grande said in a statement to People. “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”

If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association at 1-800-931-2237 or text NEDA to 741-741.