Bill Maher Praises Trump as ‘Gracious’ During His White House Visit
New Rule: Criticize the President, Eat Dinner with the President
One of the surprising rules set by Bill Maher on the latest episode of “Real Time With Bill Maher” was that if he’s going to criticize the President of the United States, then he’s going to eat dinner with the President of the United States. This unconventional approach was a result of Maher’s visit to the White House on March 31 to meet with President Trump. Maher, known for his outspoken criticism of the Commander-in-chief, shared his experience at the top of the show in a lengthy monologue.
Despite the expectations of some, Maher clarified that the dinner was not a summit meeting where treaties were to be signed. He emphasized that he is just a comedian without any real power. However, Maher did manage to get President Trump to sign a sheet of paper listing insults that Trump had directed towards Maher in the past, such as “low-life” and “his show is dead.”
Maher’s perception of the President changed during the dinner. He noted that the President was different from the person who had been tweeting negative comments about the dinner the night before. Maher described Trump as someone who laughs and is more self-aware than he portrays in public.
The dinner, organized by musician Kid Rock, saw Maher engaging in conversations with the President. Maher highlighted a moment when Trump used the word “lost” in reference to the 2020 election, a surprising admission according to Maher. The host also mentioned that he remained critical of the Trump administration on issues like the Iran nuclear deal, while also acknowledging some of Trump’s stances.
Maher’s main takeaway from the dinner was that the private side of the President was different from his public persona. Maher expressed his surprise at the President’s graciousness and willingness to engage in meaningful conversations during the dinner.
Following the dinner, Maher teased that he would reveal more about his meeting with Trump on the next episode of “Real Time.” However, the administration faced criticism for imposing tariffs on U.S. trade partners, leading to global stock market turmoil. Despite a temporary pause on global tariffs, tensions with China escalated, sparking fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.
As Maher reflected on the news cycle and the repercussions of Trump’s decisions, he humorously commented on the President’s response to the stock market plunge. Guests on the episode included Steve Bannon, Piers Morgan, and Josh Rogin, adding diverse perspectives to the discussion.
