Trump Criticizes Bill Maher as ‘Overrated Lightweight’

In a recent post on Truth Social, Donald Trump took aim at comedian Bill Maher, labeling him as an “overrated lightweight.” The criticism stemmed from Maher’s comedic jabs at Trump, particularly regarding the former president’s claims about China and ice hockey.

Trump’s Dinner with Bill Maher

Trump reflected on a dinner he had with Maher at the White House, branding the encounter as a “total waste of time.” He recounted Maher arriving at the Oval Office visibly nervous, lacking confidence, and requesting a “Vodka Tonic” to calm his nerves. Despite the awkwardness, Trump described Maher as a “nice guy” during their meal.

Maher’s Post-Dinner Comments

Following their dinner, Maher mentioned that Trump was “gracious” and more self-aware than his public persona suggests. Maher expressed surprise at Trump’s humor, noting he laughed more than expected, even at his own expense.

Criticism of Maher’s Ratings

Trump’s post included sharp critiques of Maher’s television ratings, asserting they were “so low” that few would hear his criticisms of Trump. He compared Maher unfavorably to other late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, stating that Maher was “slightly more talented” than them.

Trade Remarks Spark Controversy

Trump mentioned that Maher’s comments stemmed from a joke about China potentially eliminating ice hockey in Canada if trade negotiations faltered. Trump argued that Maher misinterpreted his humor, questioning why Maher would take such a playful remark seriously.

Republican Response to Maher

In his concluding remarks, Trump urged Republicans to avoid using Maher as an example of how the left is shifting towards their perspective. He emphasized that the Republican base finds such strategies unappealing.

Ultimately, while Maher expressed interest in returning to the White House, Trump made it clear that he prioritized his political work over a repeat dinner with Maher. This interaction highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and entertainers in contemporary discourse.