Bill Maher Shifts Approach, Ends Personal Attacks on Trump After Private White House Meeting

Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher announced a significant shift in his approach to criticizing former President Donald Trump following a private dinner at the White House. Speaking on his HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher" on April 11, 2025, Maher stated he would cease making personal "cheap shots" about Trump, choosing instead to focus solely on policy matters after their unexpected conversation.

The private dinner, held on March 31, 2025, was reportedly arranged by musician Kid Rock and also included UFC CEO Dana White. Maher described entering the meeting prepared for confrontation, even bringing a list of insults Trump had previously directed at him, which Trump good-humoredly signed. Maher expressed surprise at Trump's private demeanor, finding him "relatable and gracious" and "much more self-aware than he lets on in public."

Maher recounted that "everything I’ve not liked about him was, I swear to God, absent" during their conversation, noting Trump's ability to laugh, including at himself, and his attentiveness. He highlighted that Trump engaged in genuine discussions on topics like Iran and even casually referred to having "lost" the 2020 election, a comment that caught Maher off guard. This private interaction stood in stark contrast to Trump's often bombastic public persona.

Following this experience, Maher committed to a new journalistic standard for his commentary. > "Since then, no jokes about his weight, no jokes about his hair, his makeup, his nothing. I have enough on my plate with the policy. I don't have to go there … And I like it better," Maher stated, indicating a deliberate move away from ad hominem attacks. He emphasized that while he would continue to be critical of Trump's policies, the personal barbs would end.

Maher concluded his report by reflecting on the stark difference between the man he met and the public figure often seen in media, questioning "Why can't we get the guy I met to be the public guy?" This sentiment underscores a broader discussion about the nature of political discourse and the perceived authenticity of public figures versus their private interactions.