Politics
Bill Maher Calls Trump ‘Gracious and Measured’ After Unlikely White House Visit
By Jake Beardslee · April 13, 2025
Maher Describes Trump as 'Gracious and Measured' After White House Dinner
Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher offered an unexpectedly positive take on President Donald Trump following a private dinner meeting at the White House in late March, describing Trump as “gracious and measured.” Janet Van Ham/USA TODAY
Kid Rock Arranged Private Meeting Between Maher and Trump
The meeting, which Maher discussed during the April 11 episode of “Real Time With Bill Maher”, was arranged by musician and Trump supporter Kid Rock. The gathering reportedly lasted over two hours and included candid conversation, unexpected laughter, and surprisingly civil exchanges between two longtime adversaries. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Maher Brings List of Trump Insults to Dinner—Receives Surprising Response
Maher, who has been a vocal critic of Trump for over a decade, brought with him a list of nearly 60 past insults the president had hurled his way — including “dummy,” “sick,” and “really dumb guy” — and asked Trump to sign it. To his surprise, the gesture was met with humor.“Just for starters, he laughs,” Maher noted on-air. “I’ve never seen him laugh in public, but he does, including to himself, and it’s not fake, believe me. As a comedian of 40 years, I know a fake laugh when I hear it.”
Maher emphasized he did not feel pressured to align politically. “I did not turn MAGA,” he said, “and to the President’s credit, there was no pressure to.” The White House / Wikimedia
Discussion Covered 2020 Election and Middle East Policy
The conversation ranged from election disputes to Middle East policy. Maher recalled Trump using the word “lost” in reference to the 2020 election, adding, “I said, ‘Wow, I never thought I’d hear you say that.’ He didn’t get mad.” According to Maher, Trump was more self-aware and composed than his public persona often suggests. The White House / Wikimedia
Maher Says Speaking Frankly Would Be Harder With Obama or Clinton Than With Trump
Maher said he felt at ease speaking frankly with Trump — something he claimed would have been harder with Democratic Presidents Barack Obama or Bill Clinton. “I feel it’s emblematic of why the Democrats are so unpopular these days,” he said. Pete Souza / Wikimedia
Maher Says Trump Acts Different in Private Than in Public
Reflecting on the experience, Maher offered a takeaway: “I went into the mine, and that’s what’s down there. A crazy person doesn’t live in the White House, a person who plays a crazy person on TV a lot lives there." Mathieu Landretti / Wikimedia