US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on comedian Bill Maher in an extensive social media tirade, just weeks after welcoming him to the White House. Mr Trump kicked off the Truth Social rant, stretching beyond 1,300 words, by branding the comedian a "COMPLETE AND TOTAL LOSER." He proceeded to slam Maher's programme while heaping praise on former Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Background of a Turbulent Relationship
The relationship between Mr Trump and Mr Maher has been turbulent. The US leader previously took legal action against Mr Maher over a joke suggesting his father was an orangutan. The duo have attempted reconciliation, including two face-to-face dinners at the White House.
Mr Trump has now taken aim at Mr Maher's programme, describing it as a "Low Rated Show" and drawing comparisons to his own "Top Hit Show" The Apprentice. He further alleged the comedian had pleaded with him to feature on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher.
Trump's Claims and Polls
"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, DESPERATELY - It won't happen!" Mr Trump declared. "When I have watched the show, which isn't often, it always ends with dishonesty, about me at least, but, who cares?"
Mr Trump went on: "Using Fake Polls, he also said I had my Lowest Ratings so far, and even the Republican Party doesn't like him. I have High Ratings and, more importantly, he said that I'm losing the support and approval of the Republican Party when, in fact, CNN just came out with a Poll showing that I'm at 98 and 99% support within the Republican Party, an All Time Record High. Bill Maher lied, but he lies about everything."
Dinners and Leavitt's Appearance
Mr Trump alleged that Mr Maher invited himself to the White House for their initial dinner in March 2025. He further claimed the comedian pleaded to be invited back and returned for another meal earlier this month on October 15. Mr Trump suggested the dinner had gone smoothly.
The president went on to imply Mr Maher doesn't genuinely believe his own words on his programme and is merely pandering to his audience. The blistering comments followed Mr Maher's defence of the dinner, stating he'd actually enjoyed the experience.
However, during his opening monologue, Mr Maher asserted: "Trump has the lowest approval rating of any midterm candidate ever. Only 1 percent of the Republicans are mentioning him in their ads. It's gotten really bad."
Mr Maher chatted with Ms Leavitt later during the show. She said that her successor Katie Zacharia - who was sacked just five days into the role - met the same end as competitors on The Apprentice. Mr Maher responded by joking that he hopes "I'm not next" following his second trip to the White House.
Ms Leavitt also showed sympathy towards Ms Zacharia, remarking: "It's a tough job, it's a very tough job, people say it's one of the hardest jobs in Washington. I give anyone who steps up to that podium credit because only 37 people in history have been the White House Press Secretary." She backed Mr Trump's choice to ease Ms Zacharia out of the role within a week.
When quizzed on how the president might respond to Republicans suffering losses in the midterm elections, Ms Leavitt commented: "The president does have a way of defying history. He was in the Oval Office not once, but twice and every poll said he would not make it there. So I think he's working really hard to turn Republicans out to vote, so let's wait and see before jumping to conclusions."
Following her appearance on the programme, Mr Trump took to social media to heap praise on Ms Leavitt, calling her "great" while labelling Mr Maher a "dumb sleazebag." "There were so many other falsehoods Bill spewed, but I won't waste time in FACT CHECKING him. He isn't worth it," Mr Trump wrote.
