Trump Calls Bill Maher a 'Jerk', Says Dinner Was 'Total Waste of Time'

President criticizes talk show host for failing to acknowledge administration's accomplishments

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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President Donald Trump took to social media to call Bill Maher a "jerk" and said a dinner he shared with the talk show host at the White House was "a total waste of time." Trump said Maher was "extremely nervous" throughout the meal, which reportedly happened in 2025, and has since failed to acknowledge what Trump views as the administration's biggest accomplishments during his second term.

Why it matters

The comments highlight the ongoing tensions between Trump and media personalities who have been critical of his presidency. The dinner between the two figures was seen as a potential opportunity for dialogue, but Trump's remarks suggest the meeting did little to soften his stance toward Maher and other late-night hosts.

The details

In his social media post, Trump said he noticed Maher's show has started to promote an "anti-Trump" agenda, failing to acknowledge what the president views as his administration's key achievements, including border security, crime reduction, economic gains, military actions, and foreign policy. Maher recently defended his decision to meet with Trump, pushing back on critics who said the dinner softened his criticism of the president.

  • The dinner between Trump and Maher reportedly happened in 2025.
  • Trump made the comments on social media on Saturday.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, currently serving his second term in office.

Bill Maher

The host of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" and a prominent political commentator.

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What they’re saying

“it was a total waste of time for me to have this jerk at the White House.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Social media post)

“If I had been 'seduced by that dinner and stopped tearing him a new one every week every time I thought he did something wrong, then you would have a case. That didn't happen.”

— Bill Maher, Host of "Real Time with Bill Maher" (CNN International interview)

The takeaway

The ongoing feud between Trump and media personalities like Bill Maher highlights the deep political divisions in the country and the challenges of bridging those divides, even through direct engagement between the two sides.