Bill Maher Rebuts Donald Trump After Former President Launches Lengthy Online Tirade
Comedian Bill Maher fired back on his weekly program after Donald Trump published a 1,318-word critique assailing his character, television ratings, and recent White House visit. Maher disputed multiple assertions from the post, using comedy to push back on claims regarding their interactions.
Television host Bill Maher addressed a sprawling social media tirade from Donald Trump during Friday's broadcast of his HBO program, using his opening monologue to push back against claims made by the former president, according to reporting by The Hollywood Reporter.
The public exchange followed a 1,318-word statement posted by Trump on Truth Social on Sunday. In the lengthy message, Trump criticized Maher as a "COMPLETE AND TOTAL LOSER," attacked the viewership of his program, and targeted producer Chuck LaBella while recounting details surrounding a White House dinner meeting involving Maher and musician Kid Rock.
Maher opened his show by joking about the sheer length of the online critique, describing it as an unprecedented social media rant and likening post-dinner fallout with Trump to a high-profile breakup, The Hollywood Reporter reported. The comedian then produced a printed copy of the statement on air to directly address several specific claims made in the text.
Among the points disputed, Maher rejected Trump's assertion that the host had opposed removing nuclear weapons capabilities from Iran, prompting the show to air video segments demonstrating the opposite, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Maher also denied Trump's claim that he had incessantly phoned the former president or forced an invitation to the White House, insisting he would never make unprompted calls to a sitting commander-in-chief.
Maher also responded with humor to Trump labeling him a "major POTHEAD" and pointing out that he carried a beverage during his White House walkthrough. Maher noted on air that the drink had been handed to him by his host, while musical guest Kid Rock, who also attended the dinner gathering, remarked during Friday's broadcast that Maher was visibly high during the visit.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Trump's Sunday tirade appeared to stem from remarks Maher delivered on an October 23 episode, where the host poked fun at comments Trump made about various men's physiques while noting he received no compliments during their four-hour dinner. Trump contended in his post that LaBella had lobbied him for meetings and pushed for an appearance on Maher's broadcast, an invitation Trump wrote he repeatedly declined while calling the host dishonest.