‘Real Time’: Bill Maher Jokingly Attributes FAA Issues To Selma Blair

The FAA lifted a nationwide ground stop after a communications problem disrupted air traffic control, grounding thousands of flights. On *Real Time*, Bill Maher joked that the cause “could be Selma Blair”, referring to the actress’s recent alleged mid-flight incident, while also speculating about possible hacking.

The stop was ordered on Friday for safety reasons after an issue affected all Air Route Control Centers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later attributed the shutdown to radar instability; the FAA lifted it by 5:15pm PT, after more than 3,500 flights were grounded. Blair was charged with assault last month over allegations that she tried to open an aircraft exit door and assaulted two airline employees; she has apologised.