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Political Pundit Bill Maher Describes ‘Gracious and Measured’ Donald Trump After White House Meeting
In a surprising turn, longtime critic Bill Maher offered a positive assessment of former President Donald Trump following their recent meeting at the White House. The comedian and political commentator described Trump as “gracious and measured,” a stark contrast to his usual public persona. This unexpected encounter, arranged by musician Kid Rock, prompted Maher to reflect on the need for improved political discourse and understanding across party lines.
Unexpected White House Visit
Maher, known for his sharp criticisms of Trump on his HBO program for over a decade, recounted his recent White House visit on Friday’s show. He dedicated a segment to provide a “book report” on his dinner with Trump, which also included UFC owner Dana White and musician Kid Rock. The meeting was initiated by Kid Rock, driven by a shared desire to seek “something better than hurling insults at each other from 3,000 miles away.”
Downplaying Diplomatic Significance
The political pundit dismissed suggestions that the dinner held any diplomatic weight. “For all the people who treated this like it was some sort of summit meeting, you’re ridiculous,” Maher stated. He emphasized his role as a comedian without political authority, contrasting it with Trump’s position as a global leader.
Seeking Common Ground
Despite his critiques, Maher articulated a desire to represent “a contingent of centrist-minded people who believe there’s got to be a better way of running this country than hating each other every minute.” This sentiment framed his willingness to engage with Trump despite their contrasting political views.
A Different Persona
Maher noted a significant difference between the Trump he met and the public figure he has observed for years. He highlighted the contrast even with Trump’s social media activity the night before the meeting, where the former president publicly questioned the wisdom of the encounter.
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Trump’s Self-Awareness and Humor
“The guy I met is not the person who, the night before, s***-tweeted a bunch of nasty crap about how he thought this dinner was a bad idea, and what a deranged asshole I was,” Maher remarked, suggesting a level of self-awareness he hadn’t anticipated. He further noted Trump’s sense of humor, recalling how the former president signed a list of insults he had previously directed at Maher.
Gift of Trump Hats
Maher mentioned receiving several Trump hats as a cheeky gift. He clarified that Trump did not solicit his political endorsement or request him to pose wearing the merchandise, indicating a less overtly political interaction than some might expect.
Positive Impression
“I’m just taking it as a positive this person exists because everything I’ve ever not like about him was, I swear to God, absent, at least on this night with this guy,” Maher stated. He described their discussion as largely focused on Trump seeking his perspectives on current political issues, where he felt his views were respectfully considered, even when disagreeing.
Areas of Agreement
The late-night host revealed that he found himself in agreement with Trump on several topics, including:
- Immigration policy
- Improving police morale
- Policies regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports
Comfortable Conversation
Maher emphasized his comfort level during the conversation with Trump, stating, “I never felt I had to walk on eggshells around him.” He contrasted this with his hypothetical interactions with Democratic figures, suggesting a greater ease in communicating with Trump.
Critique of Democratic Strategies
Taking a swipe at liberal political tactics, Maher suggested his comfort level with Trump “is emblematic of why the Democrats are so unpopular these days,” implying that their approach to political engagement might be ineffective.
Humor and Reflection
The discussion even touched upon the old lawsuit concerning Maher’s joke about Trump’s father, which both addressed with humor. Maher reiterated his overall sentiment, wondering aloud why the “gracious and measured” persona he witnessed could not be Trump’s consistent public image.
Assessing Trump’s Persona
Summarizing his experience, Maher offered an intriguing observation: “A crazy person doesn’t live in the White House. A person who plays a crazy person lives there, which I know is f***ed up, its just not as f***ed up as I thought it was.” This suggests a nuanced and perhaps less alarming view of Trump than his public persona often projects.
Future Interactions Uncertain
Maher anticipated a return to their usual adversarial dynamic, joking about Trump potentially starting “a new list” of insults. However, he also expressed a belief that Trump understands his role as a political satirist and commentator.
Acknowledging Differing Perspectives on the Meeting
Both Maher and Trump acknowledged the polarized reactions to their meeting. They recognized that while some welcomed the dialogue, others strongly disapproved. Maher conveyed their mutual sentiment towards those who opposed the meeting: “The people who don’t even want us to talk? We don’t like you.”
Criticism of Democratic Tactics
Maher further criticized Democrats who oppose engaging with Trump, questioning the effectiveness of strategies like “writing the same editorial for the millionth time and making 25-hour speeches into the wind?” He challenged the perceived limitations of liberal approaches to political discourse.
Final Verdict
Concluding his report, Maher reiterated his sincerity. “That’s my report, you can hate me for it but I’m not a liar. Trump was gracious and measured and why he isn’t that in other settings I don’t know and I can’t answer and it’s not my place to answer.” He ended with a touch of humor, lamenting the “missed opportunity” of not being under the influence of marijuana during the encounter, given his well-known advocacy.
Trump’s Initial Reservations
Prior to the meeting, Trump had publicly expressed his reservations about meeting with Maher. In a Truth Social post, he recounted Kid Rock’s invitation and his initial skepticism, noting Maher’s history of criticism. Trump anticipated potential negative public pronouncements from Maher despite a positive private interaction.
Kid Rock’s Rationale
Kid Rock’s motivation for arranging the bipartisan dinner was to promote “unity” in the country. He aimed to bridge divides by facilitating a conversation between individuals with differing viewpoints.
Maher’s Defense of the Meeting
Maher addressed potential criticism from his liberal base, asserting his independence and rejecting what he characterized as “mean girls” tactics of refusing dialogue. He questioned the logic of avoiding conversation, especially in the context of electoral outcomes, suggesting a need for broader engagement across the political spectrum. He defended his right to engage in dialogue, regardless of political disagreements.
Prior Conflicts Highlighted
The article contextualized the meeting within the history of conflict between Maher and Trump, mentioning the past lawsuit related to Maher’s jokes about Trump’s parentage and a recent fiery exchange on Maher’s show with a Trump supporter. These examples underscored the unexpected nature of Maher’s positive assessment following their White House encounter.