During his HBO show, Bill Maher finally opened up about a surprising meeting and dinner with President Trump at the White House. Maher, known for his outspoken criticism, was unexpectedly impressed by the President’s demeanor.
While Maher was clear that he wasn’t going “MAGA,” his perspective seemed to shift, especially concerning the media portrayal of Trump. Maher described Trump as gracious, funny, and self-deprecating — a stark contrast to his media image.
According to Variety:
Maher then touted that he got the president to sign a sheet of paper listing numerous insults that Trump had levied against Maher over the years, including “low-life” and “his show is dead.” But the host’s tone changed shortly after that.
Maher recounted, “The guy I met is not the guy who the night before the dinner shit-Tweeted a bunch of nasty crap about how this dinner was a bad idea and what a deranged asshole I was. Just for starters: he laughs. I’ve never seen him laugh in public. But he does, including at himself. He’s not fake.”
One notable moment during Maher’s White House visit was when Trump casually mentioned the 2020 election, using the word “lost.” Maher was surprised by Trump’s candidness, which highlighted a side of him not often seen in public.
Maher continued, stating that he is still “not MAGA,” but he appreciated the discussion on various topics, including his critiques of Trump’s administration and praises for certain policies like legislation against trans athletes and support for Israel. Maher concluded that Trump’s private candor was indicative of why Democrats are struggling in popularity.
Bill Maher’s full ‘book report’ on his meeting with Trump at the White House:
“As you know, 12 days ago I had dinner with President Trump, a dinner that was set up by my friend Kid Rock. Because we share a belief: That there’s gotta be something better than hurling insults from…— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante)
April 12, 2025
Greg Gutfeld has observed that Trump often makes a more positive impression in person. If Bill Maher’s experience is any indicator, perhaps President Trump should consider meeting more of his critics face-to-face.
