Donald Trump and comedian Bill Maher are scheduled to meet at the White House, arranged by their mutual friend, Kid Rock. Trump expressed concerns on Truth Social about Maher’s history of criticizing him, fearing the comedian will continue to make negative comments after the meeting. Maher confirmed the meeting on his podcast, dismissing potential criticism from liberals with a direct “f**k you!” The two have a contentious history, including a 2013 lawsuit for a joke Maher made about Trump’s parentage.
Trump’s Reluctant Agreement
President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express apprehension about his upcoming White House meeting with comedian and television host Bill Maher. The meeting, surprisingly, was orchestrated by musician Kid Rock, who counts both men as friends despite their obvious political differences. Trump’s post revealed his primary concern isn’t the meeting itself but what might come after. The president worries that regardless of how well their conversation goes, Maher will return to his HBO show and continue his pattern of criticism.
Despite his reservations, Trump ultimately agreed to the meeting, calling it both a favor to Kid Rock and something he’s actually “looking forward to.” The unconventional gathering highlights Trump’s continued willingness to break with traditional political protocols, even as he remains cautious about engaging with one of his most consistent critics in the entertainment industry. The meeting date has not been publicly disclosed.
Liberal Bill Maher says he’s going to the White House to meet Trump:
“There will be lots of people on the left who will be like, how dare you talk to this man. I was like, f**k you … You lost the election. Who the f**k do you think you have to talk to?”
pic.twitter.com/EvdQjQrLKA— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) March 23, 2025
Kid Rock’s Unification Mission
Kid Rock first announced the planned meeting during an appearance on Glenn Beck’s show, framing it as part of a personal mission to help bridge the country’s deep political divides. The musician, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, has been a vocal supporter of Trump throughout his political career and apparently sees potential value in bringing these two outspoken figures together. His initiative suggests a belief that direct dialogue between opposing political voices might help reduce tensions.
For his part, Maher confirmed the upcoming meeting on his podcast, “Club Random,” where he explained how the unusual invitation came about. The HBO host dismissed potential backlash from his typically liberal audience with characteristic bluntness, making it clear he has no patience for those who might criticize him for engaging with Trump. Maher’s willingness to meet with political opponents aligns with his recent criticism of what he sees as excessive partisanship.
Bill Maher says "it looks like it's game over" for the Dem Party in scathing takedown following him agreeing to Trump White House meeting.
"It's not that hard for Democrats to understand this, but they don't." https://t.co/3Zx5EB1THm pic.twitter.com/MYTLvU0aB4
— Zachary Leeman (@WritingLeeman) March 22, 2025
A History of Hostility
Trump and Maher share a contentious history that extends well beyond typical political commentary. In 2013, Trump actually filed a $5 million lawsuit against Maher over a joke the comedian made suggesting Trump’s father was an orangutan. The lawsuit was later withdrawn, but it exemplifies the personal nature of their feud. As recently as late 2024, Trump referred to Maher as a “befuddled mess” in social media posts, indicating that tensions remain high.
“There will be lots of people on the left who will be like, \”How dare you talk to this man.\” It’s like, \”f**k you, I’m not playing this game that you mean girls play,\”” – Bill Maher
While Maher has routinely mocked Trump and his supporters on his television program “Real Time,” his political positions aren’t entirely predictable. He has expressed support for certain Trump policies, including the elimination of the Department of Education. This ideological complexity may provide some common ground during their White House meeting, though Trump’s social media posts suggest he remains skeptical that any positive interaction will change Maher’s public stance toward him.
Breaking Political Norms
The planned meeting represents yet another example of Trump’s unconventional approach to politics and public relations. Rather than avoiding critics from the entertainment industry, Trump appears willing to engage directly with Maher, despite acknowledging the risks involved.
This approach stands in contrast to more traditional political strategies that typically favor controlled environments and friendly interlocutors. Whether this meeting produces substantive dialogue or merely adds another chapter to their ongoing feud remains to be seen.