Donald Trump has had a change of heart about Bill Maher. He recently praised the HBO host after previously calling him a “jerk.” Speaking to reporters on Friday, October 16, the president reflected on their latest White House dinner, held the previous evening.
Trump described the gathering as a positive experience and said he also liked the comedian. He said, “It was a great dinner, it was a very informative dinner.” Trump added, “Smart people. Stephen A. is great. Bill Maher — I will tell you what. He likes me a lot more than people understand, and I actually like him. It was a good dinner.”
The president also shared details about the lengthy gathering, which included Maher, musician Kid Rock, and sports commentator Stephen A. Smith. He told reporters, “We talked about everything. It lasted a long time.” Trump added, “And even though they have to sort of put on a certain facade for their people, they like Trump, and I actually like them.” The group also toured the White House ballroom, which is currently under construction.
Trump previously called Maher a ‘jerk’
Trump’s latest comments follow his earlier criticism of Maher after their first White House dinner in March 2025. The comedian described the president as “gracious and measured” during their private meeting but continued to criticize him on his HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher.
In February 2026, Trump took to social media to criticize the comedian, calling their first dinner a “total waste of time” and referring to Maher as a “jerk.” He also attacked Maher’s political commentary, highlighting their disagreements despite their earlier cordial meeting.
Despite the criticism, Trump later indicated that he still liked Maher. The comedian subsequently revealed that the president had invited him back to the White House for another dinner.
The latest dinner marks another cordial encounter between the president and the comedian, who have continued to disagree publicly over politics. While Trump’s remarks suggest a friendlier tone, it remains unclear whether their latest meeting will change the dynamic of their relationship.
