In an unexpected twist, comedian Bill Maher has shared the details of his recent visit to the White House, where he had dinner with former President Donald Trump and UFC owner Dana White.
Known for his sharp criticism of Trump over the years, Maher surprised many by describing the meeting as surprisingly cordial, with Trump showing a side of himself that Maher hadn’t seen in public.
The Context: Kid Rock’s Role in Bringing Them Together
The dinner was arranged by musician Kid Rock, a known Trump supporter, who believes in the possibility of bridging divides in American politics.
Maher, often vocal about his disdain for Trump, agreed to meet, stating that both he and Kid Rock wanted to explore a better way of communicating beyond insults.
According to Maher, this wasn’t some diplomatic mission, but a chance to engage with Trump in a more meaningful way.
“I’m a comedian, not a diplomat,” Maher joked, dismissing any expectations that he would engage in formal political negotiations.
He acknowledged that his role at the table was simply to represent those who feel that constant political bickering isn’t the answer.
Trump’s ‘Different’ Side
What stood out most to Maher was how different Trump seemed from the persona he’s put forth publicly over the years.
Reflecting on Trump’s comments the day before the meeting, Maher noted that Trump had tweeted harshly about the dinner idea.
However, once face-to-face, Maher found Trump to be much more self-aware than he had imagined.
“The guy I met was not the same person who was tweeting nasty stuff about me just hours before,” Maher said.
He added that Trump demonstrated a good sense of humor, which even led to a lighthearted moment where he signed a list of nearly 60 insults Trump had previously directed at Maher.
A Lighthearted Gift and Unlikely Bond
The dinner wasn’t just about politics. Maher mentioned that Trump gifted him several MAGA hats, but without any expectation that Maher wear them for a photo op.
It was an odd but telling gesture of the more personal side of Trump, one that Maher appreciated despite their ideological differences.
For Maher, the evening was a revelation. “Everything I’ve disliked about him seemed to be absent that night,” Maher reflected.
It was a side of Trump he wished more people could see, even if he wasn’t sure why the former president didn’t always show this side in public.
A Conversation Without Egos
The conversation between Maher and Trump delved into various political topics, including immigration, police morale, and even transgender rights in sports.
Maher felt that, despite their disagreements, the discussion was civil and open, unlike the often polarized political debates he has experienced with other figures.
“I never felt like I had to walk on eggshells around him,” Maher explained, adding that he could speak his mind without fear of backlash, something he found rare in political discussions.
Reflecting on the Democrats’ Approach
Maher didn’t shy away from calling out the Democratic Party. He criticized the way liberals often protest against Trump, suggesting that their approach is ineffective and unappealing to voters.
“This is why Democrats are so unpopular,” Maher remarked, pointing out that their methods often lack the authenticity needed to resonate with the public.
The Orangutan Lawsuit Comes Full Circle
The two even joked about the infamous lawsuit where Maher had once claimed Trump’s father was an orangutan.
Despite their past tensions, it seemed that both men could laugh about it now, with Maher suggesting that Trump understood where he was coming from on the issue of Obama’s birth certificate.
Ending on a Comedic Note
Maher admitted that while he would likely return to mocking Trump in his usual comedic fashion, he was genuinely impressed by the side of Trump he encountered during their meeting.
“I’m not going to lie about what I saw,” he said.
“Trump was gracious and measured, and if that’s not enough for you, I don’t really care.”
As for the future, Maher speculated that the political jabs between them would likely resume.
“I’m sure we’ll go back to insulting each other,” Maher said, “but that’s just the nature of our relationship.”
A Shared Moment of Agreement
One of the more unexpected moments of the meeting came when Maher and Trump both expressed frustration at those who didn’t want them to meet in the first place.
Both agreed that the critics of their dinner—whether from the left or right—had missed the point of their conversation.
“We don’t like you,” Maher said of those who opposed the meeting, reinforcing that their goal wasn’t to unite their political bases but to show that dialogue is possible, even with deep ideological divides.
In conclusion, Maher didn’t sugarcoat his experience. He reported it honestly, as only he could.
“I’m just telling you what I saw,” he said, before adding, “and I wasn’t high. What a missed opportunity.”
The meeting, which was arranged by Kid Rock, seems to have sparked both laughter and criticism, but Maher’s open-minded report on the dinner with Trump is one that continues to make waves, especially in a politically charged climate.