Bill Maher, known for his long-standing criticism of Donald Trump, surprised many by describing a recent meeting with the former president as unexpectedly positive.
Despite their contentious history—which even included a lawsuit years ago after Maher joked that Trump’s father was an orangutan—Maher said Trump was “gracious and measured” during their conversation.
Speaking on his Friday HBO show, Maher took a moment to share what he called his “book report” on visiting the White House. He detailed having dinner with Trump, Kid Rock, UFC owner Dana White and Jordan Peterson a gathering that ended with Maher receiving a cheeky parting gift from the president.
Bill Maher on meeting President Trump
“The guy I met is not the person who, the night before, s***-tweeted a bunch of nasty crap about how he thought this dinner was a bad idea, and what a deranged asshole I was,” Maher said, pointing out the contrast between Trump’s online persona and the man he met in person.
Maher noted that Trump showed a surprising level of self-awareness and even a sense of humor about himself—something Maher admitted he didn’t expect.
One moment that stood out to him was when he brought a list of nearly 60 insults that Trump had publicly hurled at him over the years. “I brought this to the White House because I wanted him to sign it,” Maher said, and Trump did—“with good humor,” Maher added.
“I know as I say that, millions of liberal sphincters just tightened,” Maher joked, acknowledging how odd it might sound to his usual audience.
Maher emphasized that Trump never asked for his endorsement or support during the meeting. While Trump gifted him a few MAGA hats, he didn’t request that Maher pose for a photo wearing them.
“I’m gonna report what happened and you decide,” Maher concluded. “If that’s not enough pure Trump hate for you, I don’t give a f***.”
Trump and Maher’s private conversation went beyond, even clarifying calling his father an Orangutan
Bill Maher revealed another surprising moment from his visit to the White House, recounting how Donald Trump admitted he “lost” the 2020 presidential election—an acknowledgment that contradicts his ongoing public claims of election fraud.
“I don’t remember exactly what we were talking about, but it must have been something to do with the 2020 election because I know he used the word ‘lost,’” Maher said. “I distinctly remember saying, ‘wow, I never thought I’d hear you say that.’ He didn’t get mad. He’s much more self-aware than he lets on in public.”
During their dinner, the conversation also turned to a past legal dispute between the two. Trump had sued Maher in 2013 after the comedian joked that Trump was the son of an orangutan—a remark Maher made in response to Trump promoting conspiracy theories about President Barack Obama’s citizenship.
Maher recalled the moment Trump brought it up to UFC owner Dana White, saying, “‘You know, Bill said my father was an orangutan, and I really love my father.’”
Maher replied directly, telling Trump, “Well, Mr. President, I did that because I didn’t like what you were doing in regards to Obama’s birth origins. I thought that was low.”
According to Maher, Trump showed no signs of anger—just a small smile, as if to acknowledge the point. Showing his greatness.
Maher’s u-turn on the President, shows he is a different person in person, and a different person in public. President’s Trump’s intellegence goes beyond as Bill Maher implied.
Given his tone in the latest show, and his guests, one could say, Bill Maher is closer to MAGA than then left.
