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It seems the tension has quickly resurfaced.
Former President Donald Trump is back at it, criticizing Bill Maher, the host of HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher.” This comes just days after they enjoyed what Trump described as a “great dinner” together at the White House.
This past Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social to unleash a lengthy 1,318-word tirade against Maher, labeling him a “complete and total loser” in capital letters.
“Let’s discuss this COMPLETE AND TOTAL LOSER, Bill Maher,” Trump declared. “He hosts a show with low ratings on a channel that is also now low-rated. HBO used to be recognized for its quality and excitement, but that’s a thing of the past. It’s simply not ‘HOT’ anymore!” (All the emphasized words are Trump’s choices.)
Trump also targeted Chuck LaBella, a long-time producer who has collaborated with Maher on various projects. Trump pointed out that LaBella had once worked as a “gofer” on his reality show, “The Apprentice,” and mentioned their past friendship.
He wrote, “Thanks to the success of ‘The Apprentice,’ which topped ratings multiple weeks and had its finale among the year’s best, LaBella rose quickly within NBC, along with others connected to that historic show. The success created numerous career opportunities, with some even claiming it helped launch my own career leading up to the presidency (though I would have won without it!). Recently, LaBella reached out to me frequently just to say hello and expressed how much Bill Maher ‘loves’ and respects me. He’d ask me repeatedly, even before I took office, for any chance to meet with Maher and to appear on his show. I did meet with Maher a couple of times but will not appear on his show, which he desperately wants me to do. It won’t happen! Every time I manage to watch his show, it ends with nothing but dishonesty about me, but honestly, who cares?”
Trump’s frustration with Maher seems to stem from some jokes made during Friday’s episode of “Real Time.” In his monologue, Maher mocked the former president’s approval ratings and recent remarks about male physiques, referencing their previous dinner together.
“It’s a bit strange that Trump is constantly praising men’s looks and physiques,” Maher remarked. “I was at dinner with him for four hours last week, and he didn’t mention me at all. Nothing.”
He continued, “Trump has the lowest approval rating of any midterm candidate ever. Only 1 percent of Republicans are even referencing him in their campaign ads.”
In his post, Trump cited several polls suggesting he is the most beloved Republican in history, surpassing even Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln.
Additionally, Maher cracked a joke about Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, referencing an ad featuring Democrat candidate Amy Acton’s mother, who labeled her daughter “a liar.” Maher questioned if it was appropriate to make light of a serious issue involving a childhood trauma, referring to it in a controversial manner.
After the dinner with Maher earlier this month, which also included Stephen A. Smith and Kid Rock, Trump initially praised the experience but has since shifted his perspective. He mentioned in his Truth Social post that Maher appeared to be under the influence at dinner, and claimed that Maher “lies about everything,” attributing his humor to a “Laughter Machine,” asserting that his jokes lack originality and quality.
Furthermore, Trump recollected their first dinner back in March 2025, detailing how LaBella and Kid Rock had urged him to meet Maher, despite his initial reluctance due to Maher’s perceived eccentricities.
“Chuck and Kid Rock incessantly advocated for this meeting,” Trump recounted. “My instinct was to dismiss it, but they informed me that Maher was keen to discuss matters with me, complementing my intellect as someone not aligned with the liberal agenda. He invited himself over!”
Later, Trump reflected on Maher’s demeanor during their meeting and how it initially seemed productive, although he felt that Maher reverted back to his previous behavior after the dinners.
“I thought it was a decent meeting,” Trump expressed, “though it certainly did not last four hours – possibly two hours or less. I left feeling it was not particularly insightful. After our first meeting, Maher was friendly, and I suspect everyone departed feeling pleased. However, he returned to his usual self and old ways soon after. It’s his role, and I don’t take it too personally. I would often note his low ratings whenever I heard them.”
Trump closed his post with a message directed at Maher: “You’re a coward unwilling to acknowledge the positive direction of our country or the failures of the Democrats who nearly ruined it. If I hadn’t won the election, it would have been devastated! Please turn off your Laugh Machine; it’s a joke when laughter follows even the unfunniest comments you make. I intend to have Republicans stop supporting you, despite their attempts to present you as someone transformative. You’re not. I rarely tuned into your show, but I certainly won’t now, as it offers nothing but FAKE NEWS that America and the world are regrettably subjected to. Thank you for your attention on this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to representatives for Maher for their response.
Read more about this topic:
Donald Trump Attacks Bill Maher in Truth Social Post as ‘Total Loser’
