Bill Maher Defends Second Dinner With Trump, Dismisses Critics
The comedian pushed back against backlash during his HBO show, stating, 'Yeah, I did it again, b----es.'
Comedian Bill Maher has responded forcefully to criticism following his second dinner with President Donald Trump at the White House. During the opening monologue of his HBO program "Real Time," Maher addressed attendees of the Oct. 15 gathering, which also included sports commentator Stephen A. Smith and musician Kid Rock.
"Yeah, I did it again, b----es," Maher declared, referencing the dinner. He further asserted, "You know what? F--- you. I like these dinners."
Maher's comments come after Trump told reporters that he enjoyed the recent meal, stating, "The dinner last night with Kid Rock and Stephen A. [Smith] and Bill Maher was great. I think they had a good time." The president added that Maher "likes me a lot more than people understand" and that they "talked about everything."
Maher had previously revealed he would be dining with the president again during an appearance on his "Club Random" podcast earlier in the month. He noted that Trump had initiated the second meeting and that the president was "really nice."
"Like, I promise I won't say bad things about you like I did the last time,' and I texted back, and I said, 'You know what, you're the president of the United States. Say whatever the f--- you want. I'm just glad we're talking,'" Maher recounted.
This marks Maher's second publicized dinner with Trump. The first occurred in April 2025, alongside Kid Rock and UFC CEO Dana White. Following that engagement, Maher had stated that Trump was "more self-aware" in private and that the president had been "gracious and measured."
Despite his continued engagement with the president, Maher has also continued to criticize Trump on other matters. In June, he commented on Trump's Iran deal, suggesting the president had not achieved his stated objectives.
Public relations CEO Jason Mudd commented on Maher's approach, suggesting that addressing criticism directly and maintaining his characteristic tone could help him retain audience support. "If Bill Maher were my client, I'd advise him to keep sounding like himself. A host who sounds like a surrogate loses credibility," Mudd said. "Maher sounded like Maher, so that risk stays low. Repetition is the next risk, because each new dinner invites the same questions." He added, "Comedians win by joking first, not by clarifying. Naming the backlash before his critics do takes much of their power away."