A simmering resentment boiled over this weekend as former President Donald Trump unleashed a lengthy critique of comedian Bill Maher, revisiting a private dinner held nearly a year ago. The outburst, delivered via a nearly 500-word post on Truth Social, stemmed from Maher’s recent reflections on the meeting during a CNN International interview.
Trump characterized the comedian as a “jerk” and claimed Maher displayed “zero confidence” throughout their White House encounter. He specifically recalled Maher’s immediate request for a “Vodka Tonic” within seconds of sitting down, framing it as a nervous attempt to steady himself.
The dinner itself, according to Trump, was initiated at Maher’s request through a mutual acquaintance. Trump asserted that Maher even confessed to feeling “scared” prior to the meeting, a detail that seemed to fuel the former president’s current indignation.
Despite describing the dinner as “great” and initially praising Maher’s “respectful” demeanor afterward, Trump lamented a subsequent return to what he called the comedian’s “same old story” – a consistent pattern of anti-Trump commentary.
Trump’s post quickly devolved into a recitation of perceived accomplishments from his presidency, highlighting issues like border security and crime rates. He accused Maher of ignoring these successes, dismissing his show as “very boring” and a platform for “Fake News.”
The former president didn’t stop at policy critiques, labeling Maher a “highly overrated LIGHTWEIGHT” and downplaying his influence. Trump confidently predicted that Maher’s low television ratings would limit the reach of any critical statements.
Adding a pointed message to his own party, Trump cautioned Republicans against using Maher as evidence of a shifting political landscape. He argued that his base would view such attempts as a sign of weakness, finding amusement in the perceived desperation.
Maher, however, offered a markedly different account of the dinner following their April meeting. He described Trump as “gracious” and noted a surprising willingness to laugh, even at himself – a quality Maher claimed he’d never witnessed publicly from the former president.
In his CNN interview, Maher dismissed those who criticized him for accepting the dinner invitation as “idiots,” arguing the focus should be on his commentary *after* the meeting, not the meeting itself. He believed the real story lay in his willingness to engage with a political opponent.
The exchange underscores a fundamental clash in perspective – Trump fixated on perceived disrespect and a lack of acknowledgment of his achievements, while Maher appeared more interested in the unexpected humanity he encountered behind the public persona.
