Trump Reveals Details of White House Dinner with Bill Maher, Stephen A. Smith, and Kid Rock

President Donald Trump disclosed on Friday that he hosted an unusual dinner at the White House the previous evening, bringing together comedian Bill Maher, sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, and musician Kid Rock. Trump described the gathering as "great" and suggested that all attendees, including Maher who has frequently criticized him, enjoyed themselves.

"The dinner last night with Kid Rock and Stephen A. [Smith] and Bill Maher was great," Trump told reporters as he departed the White House. "I think they had a good time." He added that Maher "likes me a lot more than people understand."

Trump elaborated on the evening, stating, "We talked about everything. It lasted a long time." He also commented positively on his guests, noting, "Smart people. Stephen A. is great." He reiterated his sentiment about Maher, saying, "Bill Maher, I tell you what, he likes me a lot more than people understand... And I absolutely like him. It was a good dinner."

This is not the first time Maher has attended a White House event with Trump. In April 2025, Maher was present at a White House dinner that also included UFC CEO Dana White. Following that event, Maher remarked that Trump appeared more "self-aware" in private than in public settings. "You can hate me for it, but I’m not a liar. Trump was gracious and measured," Maher said at the time. However, Maher has also been a vocal critic of the president on his HBO show "Real Time," including mocking Trump's approach to Iran agreements and predicting a significant loss for Republicans in the midterms.

An analysis from Jason Mudd, CEO of Axia Public Relations, suggests that such high-profile dinners carry both reputational risks and rewards for all involved. Mudd advised that guests should prepare their statements regarding such events in advance to maintain credibility.