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President Donald Trump criticized HBO host Bill Maher in an extensive social media statement Sunday, disputing the comedian’s account of their recent White House meeting and objecting to his questioning of former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Sunday that he will not appear on Bill Maher’s television program and asked the comedian to stop seeking White House meetings, escalating a public disagreement following Maher’s recent dinner with the president and his interview with former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
In a lengthy statement posted Sunday evening on Truth Social, Trump accused the HBO host of misrepresenting their interactions, making inaccurate political claims and treating Leavitt unfairly during her appearance Friday on “Real Time with Bill Maher.”
The criticism came just 10 days after Maher attended an Oct. 15 dinner at the White House with Trump, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith and musician Kid Rock. Trump initially described the gathering favorably before expressing dissatisfaction with Maher’s subsequent television commentary.
Central to the dispute was Leavitt’s appearance on Maher’s Oct. 23 program, during which she discussed Trump’s presidency and responded to questions about his leadership. Trump praised his former press secretary while accusing Maher of conducting a politically biased interview.
“Karoline Leavitt was GREAT on the show, but she started with a biased, dumb SLEAZEBAG, asking questions,” Trump wrote. “She defended me, and herself, so well, but couldn’t be comfortable going against Lie after Lie.”
Trump also disputed Maher’s criticism of his approval ratings and standing within the Republican Party. The president cited polling figures that he said demonstrated overwhelming Republican support, including claims of 98% to 99% approval among party members. Those figures were presented in Trump’s statement without sufficient methodological information to independently establish their accuracy.
The president further criticized Maher’s comments concerning Republican candidates and disputed assertions about election administration in California.
Beyond political disagreements, Trump devoted substantial attention to the circumstances surrounding his meetings with Maher. He claimed the television host had repeatedly sought invitations through mutual acquaintances, particularly entertainment executive Chuck LaBella, who previously worked on Trump’s television program “The Apprentice.”
Trump said LaBella contacted him numerous times seeking meetings between the president and Maher, while also conveying what Trump described as the comedian’s personal admiration.
“No sooner had we had that first dinner at the White House, which is a very seductive and beautiful place, especially now that I have fully renovated and fixed it in the style which it deserves, Bill wanted to come back,” Trump wrote. “The Gofer called me multiple times, saying how much Bill loves me, that he respects me more than anybody, and wants to come back for a second meeting.”
Trump said he eventually agreed to another meeting but never committed to appearing on Maher’s HBO program.
“When I became President, I agreed to meet, after the first one, and the last one, but never agreed to do his show, which he wants me to do, DESPARATELY — It won’t happen!” Trump declared.
The president also challenged Maher’s characterization of their most recent dinner, particularly the reported length of the gathering. Maher had described the meeting as lasting approximately four hours, while Trump maintained it lasted no more than two hours.
“Overall, I thought it was a good meeting. It didn’t last four hours, it lasted two hours, maybe less, and everybody was happy. We have the timestamps. I learned nothing, and felt it was a waste of time,” Trump wrote.
The disagreement represents a reversal from the more cordial relationship the two men appeared to develop following their earlier White House meeting in March 2025.
Maher, a longtime critic of Trump, has occasionally drawn favorable attention from conservative commentators for challenging progressive positions on immigration, political correctness and other cultural issues. His willingness to criticize Democrats has also distinguished him from some other prominent liberal television personalities.
However, Maher has continued criticizing Trump on his program, even while acknowledging positive aspects of their private meetings.
Trump’s statement also included personal criticism of Maher, allegations concerning the comedian’s behavior during their recent dinner and claims about the quality of his television program. Those personal allegations were not independently substantiated.
In another portion of the statement, Trump addressed reports concerning possible changes to the White House press briefing area. He denied plans to convert the briefing room into a swimming pool but acknowledged considering relocating reporters to another part of the complex.
“I am thinking about moving the Press, and putting them in a different location, but I will use that location for very badly needed space,” Trump wrote.
The president concluded by indicating that he no longer intends to watch Maher’s program and does not want additional requests for meetings from the comedian or LaBella.
“Bill: Don’t call anymore,” Trump wrote.
He also suggested discouraging Republicans from promoting Maher’s commentary or appearing on his program, criticizing the favorable attention the comedian sometimes receives from conservative audiences.
“I never watched your show much, but I will never watch it again, because it is nothing more than FAKE NEWS that America, and the World, is unfortunately subjected to,” Trump concluded.
The public disagreement leaves little indication that the relationship established during the White House dinners will continue, with Trump explicitly rejecting future television appearances and further invitations sought through Maher’s associates.
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