Bill Maher discusses his four-hour-long dinner with Trump and issues a defiant response to critics: ‘You know what?’

Bill Maher discussed a recent dinner he attended at the White House with President Donald Trump during Friday’s episode of Real Time. The gathering also included Stephen A. Smith and Kid Rock. Mediaite pointed out that this was the second occasion on which Maher has shared a meal with Trump, even though the pair have regularly criticized one another publicly.

In his opening monologue, Maher made clear that he enjoys these dinners and sees no reason to apologize for attending them. He also offered some positive remarks about Trump during a separate interview with former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Maher directly confronted people who have objected to his decision to meet with the president again. He stated, “Yeah, I did it again, b–ches! I know! I’m the bag guy because I go and say face-to-face to the man the things you write in articles he’ll never read, but okay. You know what? F–k you. I like these dinners.”

Maher recounts specific concerns raised during the lengthy White House gathering

The dinner stretched on for more than four hours. Smith joined as Maher’s guest, and the two of them raised several issues with Trump over the course of the evening.

According to Maher, the topics he brought up included disruptions to Starlink service in Ukraine and ICE shootings. He also said he spoke about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “dragging” him down, along with additional matters.

Maher described having “a lot to b–ch about” at the table. He characterized the overall experience of being at the White House as “thrilling,” particularly the moment when he was formally announced to the president. Maher has also called for more bipartisanship in Washington, so sitting down with Trump fits that stance.

He offered a lighthearted take on that announcement. Maher said, “First of all, you’re in the White House. There is just something thrilling about being announced when you’re in the White House, that moment when you’re outside the Oval Office and you hear the aide say, sir, you’re seven o’clock low-ratings dummy is here.”

Toward the close of his remarks, Maher referenced recent criticisms of Trump involving a diesel deal with Russia and the lifting of sanctions. He remarked, “I could not have been treated better if I was Russian.” His tone has shifted before, too, from praising Trump to a full-on roast.