Kid Rock Describes 'Epic' White House Dinner with Trump, Maher, and Smith
The musician revealed a surprising point of agreement among the disparate group during a recent meeting at the White House.
Musician Kid Rock shared details of a recent dinner at the White House with former President Donald Trump, comedian Bill Maher, and sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, describing the gathering as "epic." The unlikely quartet convened for a roundtable discussion where, according to Rock, they found common ground on the rejection of socialist and communist ideologies in government.
Rock, whose real name is Bob Ritchie, discussed the dinner on Fox News, explaining that the event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds for conversations on various issues. He characterized the meeting as a blend of breaking bread, sharing laughs, and engaging in tough discussions.
During the conversation, Maher reportedly raised the topic of the war in Iran and the need to bring back interpreters who assisted American forces in Afghanistan. Smith, speaking on Sean Hannity's show, focused on the funding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Smith noted that while Trump has supported HBCUs, concerns exist about corporate donations due to anxieties surrounding "DEI" initiatives. Smith stated that Trump acknowledged these concerns and pledged to discuss the matter further with his team.
Maher, a frequent critic of Trump, had previously met with the former president in March 2025. He described that earlier meeting as "gracious and measured," and noted that Trump displayed a sense of humor, even signing a list of nearly 60 insults Trump had previously directed at Maher. Maher suggested that the Trump he met privately was more self-aware than his public persona indicated, and expressed a desire to represent centrist-minded individuals seeking a less divisive approach to governance.
Trump, commenting on the recent gathering, indicated he believed his guests had a good time, and that both Smith and Maher, despite their political leanings, were fond of him. He mentioned that they took a tour of the White House ballroom.
Following the White House dinner, Smith and Maher were seen together celebrating Smith's birthday at a jazz bar in Washington D.C. Maher's HBO show was on hiatus during this period, and he had not publicly commented on the dinner prior to Rock's remarks.