Bill Maher brushes off liberal critics ahead of Trump meeting
Comedian Bill Maher is set for a White House meeting with Donald Trump, arranged by Kid Rock, despite facing political backlash for years.
Straight Arrow News
During the opening monologue of the April 11 episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Maher recounted his highly anticipated experience dining with President Donald Trump at the White House.
“I will share precisely how it unfolded; you can judge for yourself,” the veteran host conveyed to his audience.
Maher noted that the Trump he encountered on March 31 differed from the public figure portrayed on television. However, he remarked, “What occurs at a private dinner with a comedian is irrelevant; it’s who he is on the global stage that matters.”
He followed up with a poignant question: “Why can’t we get the individual I met to be the public persona?”
Although the dinner, also attended by Kid Rock and UFC CEO Dana White, was productive, Maher upheld his commitment to hold the Trump administration accountable in his political commentary.
Continue reading for a complete transcript of Maher’s monologue.
Watch Bill Maher’s complete monologue regarding his meeting with Trump
Bill Maher on his dinner with Donald Trump: complete transcript
For what I know has been highly anticipated, here’s my report from my visit to the White House. As you may recall, 12 days ago, I dined with President Trump — a meeting arranged by my friend Kid Rock, stemming from our shared belief that there’s a more constructive approach than exchange of insults from miles apart.
Now, let me clarify to those who regarded this as a significant diplomatic meeting: you are mistaken. As if I were about to enact a treaty. I wield no influence. I’m a…comedian, and he’s the most powerful leader globally. I’m not leading anything, just perhaps a group of centrist-minded individuals who believe there are better means to govern than constant hostility.
Let’s meet in person and see if things change. Spoiler: they did. Right before I left for the capital, my team compiled a list of nearly 60 derogatory terms Trump used to describe me, like: stupid, dummy, low-life, sleazebag, and more.
I intended to present this list for him to sign, and he did so with a sense of humor. I can anticipate the panic among liberals as I state this. What I’ll do is narrate exactly what transpired; you can form your own view. And if it doesn’t meet your standard of Trump criticism, I understand.
To clarify, I did not embrace MAGA. Credit to the president, there was no pressure to do so. After departing the Oval Office, he guided me to the adjacent room, once used by Clinton… well, that space now holds merchandise.
He handed me several hats, but he did not insist I pose for a picture in one; I appreciated that. The individual I met was not the person who, the night prior to our dinner, tweeted scathing remarks about how poorly he believed this dinner would go and how ‘deranged’ I was. Upon reading those words, I thought, what a cordial way to invite someone to your home.
However, upon my arrival, that persona was nowhere to be found. Now, does Trump desire respect? Absolutely, who doesn’t? A friend asked what I would wear to the White House; I replied I wouldn’t dress like Zelenskyy. His laughter surprised me! I had never before witnessed him laugh publicly. He also laughed at himself, which felt authentic. As a comedian for four decades, I recognize a disingenuous laugh.
For instance, while in the Oval Office, he was showing me presidential portraits and pointed to Reagan, remarking, ‘You know the best thing about him? His hair.’ I couldn’t help but respond, ‘Well, he also played a role in ending Communism.’ I braced myself for a swift exit, but he chuckled; he understood.
At one moment, I remarked, ‘Mr. President, the dog—isn’t that unusual for the White House?’ He replied, ‘Well, many presidents had dogs for political reasons.’ I countered, ‘No, people love dogs! That’s the reason.’ He responded, ‘Oh yeah, I guess that’s true.’ I assure you, it truly happened!
While touring the impressive structure, we discussed the 2020 election, leading him to mention the term ‘lost’, prompting me to express, ‘Wow, I never anticipated you would say that.’ He didn’t react defensively; rather, he seemed more self-aware than typically portrayed.
I understand the implications. Who he is in private is irrelevant; it’s his behavior on the global stage that counts. However, recognizing that this side of him exists is reassuring, as everything I often criticized about him was notably absent that night. Kid Rock warned me beforehand that if I wanted to speak, I would need to cut him off, or he would dominate the conversation. That wasn’t the case at all.
I’ve had conversations with numerous influential figures who are less engaged, people who fail to make eye contact or genuinely listen because they’re preoccupied with what’s next. With him, that wasn’t true at all. He mostly directed our discussions: ‘So, what’s your take on this?’ I know, it’s astonishing. I felt the same way.
Throughout the night, I managed to jest and challenge him without issue. During our dinner, he sought my views on the nuclear situation in Iran in a sincere manner, expressing, ‘I consider you a smart guy. What do you think?’ I replied, ‘You likely have access to information that I don’t, but for what it’s worth, I thought the Obama deal was valid as it led Iran to dismantle 98% of its uranium, delaying their capability to produce a bomb by 15 years.’
I followed up, ‘Well, we managed to eliminate that. You eliminated it.’ He didn’t react angrily or label me a left-wing extremist; he absorbed it. I expressed my opinion that some aspects of his Gaza strategy were questionable, although I supported his idea of transforming Gaza into a vibrant place instead of a disaster zone. He pushed back on a previous tweet asserting my criticism of all things Trump, but I clarified that wasn’t accurate — check the records.
Regarding the embassy move to Jerusalem? I fully supported that. The border indeed required management. I was glad to see law enforcement regaining their morale. DEI had exceeded its boundaries. Biological males should not compete in women’s sports. Europe ought to bear its defense costs, and naturally, it’s logical for Arab nations to accept Arab refugees — unlike the million Syrian refugees in Germany when Saudi Arabia took in none. He acknowledged, ‘You’re correct; they took none.’ I replied, ‘Maybe remind your Saudi buddy about that next time you meet.’ He laughed.
I never felt the need to tread carefully around him; honestly? While I voted for both Clinton and Obama, I would not have felt at ease discussing topics with them as I did with Donald Trump. That was the reality of the situation. Interpret it however you wish. I believe it exemplifies why Democrats struggle with popularity today. He even took my feedback on the orangutan lawsuit in stride. Yes, surprisingly.
He relayed to Dana White, ‘Bill claimed my father was an orangutan, and I said I truly love my father.’ I responded, ‘Well, Mr. President, I said that because I disagreed with your stance on Obama’s birth origins; I believe that was beneath you.’ Again, there was no anger, just a slight smile as if to acknowledge, ‘Yeah, I get it.’
The most surreal moment of the entire night arose when I returned home. I flew back immediately after the dinner, and while in bed, I watched ’60 Minutes’ from the previous night. There was Trump, standing at a podium in a setting that resembled one of the rooms we had just visited, ranting, ‘Disgusting, you’re a terrible person.’ I was left wondering, who is this guy? What happened to Glinda the Good Witch? Why can’t we see the individual I encountered in public?
I don’t claim it’s our obligation to reform that. It’s not. I’m merely recounting my observation over two and a half hours. I ventured into the metaphorical mine, and this was the reality I discovered. A madman does not reside in the White House; instead, the person who portrays a madman on TV occupies it — which I find perplexing. But it’s not as misplaced as I once presumed. Now that I’m back to performing my duties, I harbor no illusions that he might initiate another list.
Overall, I anticipate being critical of numerous aspects of his administration, including the trade war and human rights violations, ruling by decree, threatening judges, and dismantling government functions with a positive attitude. Nevertheless, I believe he comprehended that I have a job, or he did that night, because he mentioned he had watched our previous episode, which aired the Friday before our dinner. He commented, ‘I expected some niceness, but you really came at me.’ I certainly did, as I refuse to hold back against a president proposing a third term. He seemed to grasp that without resentment. That doesn’t mean he won’t try for it.
At one point, I confronted him, asking, ‘You’re instilling fear among the people. Do you really wish to scare your own citizens?’ I know you’re curious about his response. Truthfully, I can’t recall. But it certainly was not, ‘Okay, I’ll stop.’
So for MAGA supporters, rest assured, your guy provided me with nothing beyond hats. Hats and a generous amount of his time, along with a readiness to listen and acknowledge me as a prospective companion, despite my non-MAGA stance, which was the essence of the dinner. My highlight of the night was when we stood in the adjacent room to the Oval Office, and he remarked, ‘I’ve heard from a lot of individuals who appreciate this dinner. Not everyone, but quite a few.’ I responded, ‘Likewise, many have expressed enthusiasm for it, but not all.’
We both concurred that those who wish for silence from us? We don’t favor that. Not engaging versus endlessly writing the same editorial or delivering lengthy speeches that go unheard is what liberals have resorted to. Seriously? He calls out everyone else, but we’re supposed to restrain ourselves?
That concludes my report. You may harbor resentment toward me for it, but I’m not dishonest. Trump was polite and composed, and I cannot understand why he doesn’t project that in other circumstances; I can’t answer that, nor is it my place to do so. I’m simply relaying what I observed, and I assure you I was not under the influence.
What a missed chance.
