Bill Maher Discusses Backlash Over Trump Dinner Compared to Hitler

Los Angeles, CA — Comedian Bill Maher responded to criticism after he had dinner with former President Donald Trump, with some comparing the event to dining with Adolf Hitler. Maher, known for his vocal criticism of Trump, met the president on March 31 at a dinner with several high-profile supporters, including musician Kid Rock.

On April 11, Maher described Trump as ‘gracious’ and ‘much more self-aware than he lets on,’ claiming, ‘Everything I’ve ever not liked about him was absent, at least on this night with this guy.’ His comments drew ire, particularly from fellow comedian Larry David.

In a New York Times opinion piece, David likened Maher’s account of Trump to a fictional dinner with Hitler, where the narrator becomes charmed by the dictator. David suggested that people often overlook the dangerous tendencies of such figures when encountering their personal charm.

During an appearance on Piers Morgan’s talk show Uncensored, Maher defended his actions, saying, ‘First of all, it’s kind of insulting to 6 million dead Jews … Hitler has really kind of got to stay in his own place. He is the GOAT of evil.’ He expressed disappointment over David’s response and emphasized their friendship.

‘Nobody has been harder, and more prescient, I must say, about Trump than me,’ Maher said. ‘The fact that I reported honestly is not a sin either.’ Maher also spoke about the importance of dialogue, stating, ‘There’s got to be a better way than hurling insults and not talking to people.’

The controversy has sparked discussions about celebrity interactions with political figures and the complexities of morality in public discourse. Maher concluded that engaging with different perspectives does not change one’s core beliefs.