In a surprising turn of events, comedian and talk show host Bill Maher praised former President Donald Trump after their meeting at the White House in late March. Maher, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump for years, described the former president as “gracious and measured” during their two-and-a-half-hour dinner, which was arranged by musician and Trump supporter Kid Rock.
A Surprising Encounter
During the March 31 meeting, Maher, who has often made jokes about Trump and his policies, brought along a piece of paper with nearly 60 insults Trump had directed at him over the years. He jokingly asked Trump to sign it. Despite their past animosity, Maher was taken aback by Trump’s demeanor at the private dinner.
The comedian shared his surprise at how Trump laughed genuinely during their conversation, something Maher had never seen in public. “As a comedian of 40 years, I know a fake laugh when I hear it,” Maher said.
Trump’s Self-Awareness and Graciousness
Maher noted that despite their long history of clashes, Trump was surprisingly self-aware during the meeting. One particular moment stood out to Maher when Trump openly admitted the loss of the 2020 election, something Maher never expected to hear from the former president.
“I never thought I’d hear you say that,” Maher recalled saying, adding that Trump didn’t get mad, which he found to be a positive sign.
The comedian emphasized that although the meeting was revealing, it was the private Trump, not the public persona that everyone sees during speeches and rallies. He remarked, “Look, I get it. It doesn’t matter who he is at a private dinner with a comedian.
It matters who he is on the world stage.” Maher concluded that the positive traits he saw during the dinner gave him a new perspective on Trump, at least in a more personal, private setting.
Discussion on Politics and International Affairs
The dinner wasn’t just about small talk. Trump asked Maher about his views on ongoing U.S. talks with Iran, particularly regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. Maher shared his thoughts on the Obama-era Iran deal, explaining that he thought it was worth letting play out because it led to Iran destroying a significant portion of its uranium stockpile.
Maher also discussed his support for Trump’s ideas regarding Gaza, though he criticized certain aspects of Trump’s approach.
What stood out to Maher was how Trump took in Maher’s thoughts without getting defensive or attacking him. Maher said that while he didn’t always agree with Trump, he respected the fact that Trump didn’t dismiss his views immediately or label him as a “left-wing lunatic,” as Maher expected.
A Contrast with Democratic Leaders
Maher also took the opportunity to reflect on his experiences with past Democratic presidents like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, saying he always felt the need to “walk on eggshells” around them, something he didn’t feel was necessary with Trump.
He pointed out that this might be part of the reason Democrats are struggling with public support: they come off as less relatable compared to Trump, whose public persona often seems larger-than-life but whose private demeanor, Maher found, was more approachable.
