Liberal comedian Bill Maher disclosed on Monday that he is scheduled to have dinner with President Donald Trump next week. Maher made the announcement during an interview with Ari Emanuel, the Hollywood agent and executive, on Maher's "Club Random" podcast. The comedian stated that after their previous meeting, Trump unexpectedly reached out to arrange another private meal. "He just, out of the blue, let's have dinner again," Maher said, adding that the president was "really nice" during their exchange. Maher recounted a text message exchange in which he told Trump, "You know what, you're the president of the United States. Say whatever the f*** you want. I'm just glad we're talking." The episode was released on Monday, though it remains unclear whether the dinner has already taken place. Neither the White House nor Maher's representatives responded to requests for comment regarding the event.
Maher and Emanuel discussed the value of engaging with individuals with whom one disagrees. Emanuel noted that he had spoken with the president on Monday, referencing his previous representation of Trump during his hosting of "The Apprentice." Maher argued that critics who refuse such opportunities miss a chance to voice their objections directly to the person in charge. "I've heard people say, 'Well, I don't like the war.' Tell him! You can tell them, and I will," Maher said. He contrasted this openness with what he perceived as hypocrisy among some on the left, specifically targeting comedian Larry David. Maher pointed out that David had criticized him for his White House dinner last year while ignoring that his own agent, Emanuel, had recently communicated with Trump. "You must recognize the hypocrisy there," Maher said.
The two men have been public adversaries for over a decade until a meeting was brokered by their mutual friend Kid Rock. That initial encounter led to a dinner at the White House, where Maher said he found Trump more gracious and good-humored than expected. During a tour of the White House, the topic of the 2020 election arose, and Maher noted that Trump did not react angrily to his comments about the election result. "I never felt I had to walk on eggshells around him," Maher told his audience. He added that despite voting for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in past elections, he found it easier to converse with Trump than with either of those former presidents.
Tensions have persisted behind the scenes despite the recent cordiality. Earlier this year, Maher received the Mark Twain Prize from the Kennedy Center, an institution Trump oversees as chairman. Reports indicated that the White House attempted to block Maher from accepting the award. In recent months, Trump has also used his Truth Social platform to attack Maher's television ratings. Maher characterized his experience as positive, suggesting that the private dynamic between them differed from their public interactions.