Bill Maher’s Mixed Feelings About Trump After Award Ceremony
On a recent episode of “Real Time,” comedian Bill Maher expressed feeling “betrayed” by President Donald Trump, stirring up their ongoing feud following a dinner they shared back in 2025.
During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Maher discussed receiving the Mark Twain Award for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, an event chaired by Trump. Tension had mounted before the ceremony, as reports revealed that the Trump administration attempted to prevent Maher from being awarded.
Reflecting on Trump’s competitive nature, Maher said on his “Club Random” podcast, “I love that he takes the game so seriously. I respect that move, but I knew the award ceremony was happening on June 28th. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Current Hostility
Following his acceptance of the award, Maher addressed their discord, attributing it to his reluctance to fully reconcile with Trump’s Republican side after their dinner last year.
He remarked, “Trump was upset because I went to his house for dinner with no guarantee I’d leave. Can you assure me of that? I didn’t know what to expect.” He suggested it’s probably best to have a conversation and work through these feelings.
Support Despite Backlash
In the interview, anchor Jonathan Karl pointed out that Maher had faced criticism for dining with Trump, yet he seemed to back this choice. “I honestly reported that it wasn’t a terrible experience for a guy who did terrible things,” he added.
Additionally, Kahl noted Trump’s attacks on Maher seemed to escalate post-dinner. Maher remarked, “Now he feels betrayed. It’s silly—their disagreement serves no purpose when they could just discuss it.”
Looking Ahead
While Maher continues to identify politically against Trump, he did mention in an interview that he might consider voting for a Republican candidate like Vice President J.D. Vance in 2028, particularly if competing against someone from the Democratic Socialists of America.
He summed it up with, “My vote counts because I’m not living in a communist America, so let’s keep it interesting.”
