Kid Rock Recounts Trump Handing Him Phone to Speak With French President Macron

Musician Kid Rock shared an anecdote on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" in which former President Donald Trump handed him a phone to speak with French President Emmanuel Macron during a golf outing.

Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, told Maher that Trump frequently took calls while golfing, describing him as someone who "does not stop working." According to Kid Rock, during one such occasion, Macron called, and Trump spoke with him before handing the phone to Kid Rock.

"We’re all standing there," Kid Rock recounted. "[Trump’s] like, ‘Hey, I’m here with the great Kid Rock,’ like Macron knows who I am, and he’s like, ‘Bob, say hello.’"

Kid Rock then described his interaction with Macron, stating, "So he gives me the phone and I’m like, ‘Hello, Mr. President.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m from the Paris of the Midwest: Detroit.’ And Trump leaves, he gets in the golf cart."

Maher and his guests, including Senator Ted Cruz and journalist Jim VandeHei, responded with laughter to Kid Rock's story. Kid Rock concluded the anecdote by mimicking his conversation with Macron, adding, "I was like, ‘So what else you been up to?'"

The story was shared during an episode where Maher also discussed a recent dinner he had with Trump, alongside Kid Rock and ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith. Maher likened dining with Trump to dating Taylor Swift, suggesting it is enjoyable initially but can lead to negative consequences later.

Democratic political strategist Kaivon Shroff criticized Maher's reaction to the anecdote, suggesting that if a Democratic president had engaged in a similar interaction, Maher would have been more critical. Shroff accused Maher of performing for his audience and altering his commentary based on political alignment, stating, "His whole brand is the liberal who bashes other liberals... But at some point if all you do is bash Democrats, pal around with Kid Rock, and suck up to Trump — you’re just a Republican."