William Freeman 2nd Vice Chair | DeKalb County Republican Party
William Freeman 2nd Vice Chair | DeKalb County Republican Party
During his recent episode on HBO, Bill Maher shared details of his meeting and dinner with President Trump that took place at the White House. Maher expressed surprise at finding Trump different from his media portrayal, describing him as "gracious, funny, and capable of laughing at himself."
Maher clarified that he is not shifting towards supporting the "MAGA" movement, but acknowledged a shift in some of his perceptions. He managed to get Trump to sign a paper listing various insults Trump had previously directed at him, such as “low-life” and “his show is dead.”
Maher remarked, "The guy I met is not the guy who the night before the dinner shit-Tweeted a bunch of nasty crap about how this dinner was a bad idea and what a deranged asshole I was." He added, "Just for starters: he laughs. I’ve never seen him laugh in public. But he does, including at himself. He’s not fake."
During a White House tour, Maher noted a significant moment involving the 2020 election, where Trump used the word "lost," which Maher found surprising. "He didn’t get mad," Maher observed, adding that Trump is "much more self-aware than he lets on in public."
The discussion touched on Maher's criticisms of the Trump administration, including the dissolution of President Obama's 2015 deal with Iran. Maher did, however, commend Trump for opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that have "gone too far," legislative measures against trans athletes, and backing of Israel's military actions in Gaza. Maher suggested that Trump’s private candor is "emblematic of why the Democrats are so unpopular these days."
While not wholly complimentary and peppered with his usual cuss words, Maher’s account provides a different insight into President Trump's conduct in a private setting.
Bill Maher's detailed account of the meeting was shared on social media, accompanied by a video, showing a nuanced interaction facilitated by Maher's friend, Kid Rock.
Fox News commentator Greg Gutfeld has reiterated that Trump's in-person interactions often leave a more favorable impression, a sentiment Maher's experience seems to support.
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