Trump Revives Criticism of Bill Maher, Regrets White House Dinner

President Donald Trump spent part of Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026, composing a lengthy social media post attacking comedian Bill Maher, host of HBO’s “Real Time.” Trump expressed regret over inviting Maher to the White House for dinner last April.

A “Total Waste of Time”

“Sometime in life you waste time!” Trump wrote in a nearly 500-word post on his Truth Social account according to The Hill. He recalled that the meeting was coordinated through a mutual friend, musician Kid Rock as reported by the Recent York Post.

Maher’s Demeanor in the Oval Office

Trump claimed Maher appeared “extremely nervous” and lacking in confidence upon entering the Oval Office. He alleged Maher immediately requested a “vodka tonic” to calm his nerves and confessed to being “scared” as detailed in Deadline. Despite this, Trump initially found Maher’s nervousness “somewhat endearing.”

From Respectful to “ANTI TRUMP”

Trump stated the dinner was “great, quick, and easy,” and that Maher was initially “incredibly respectful” in his show following the meeting. However, Trump then accused Maher’s show of devolving into “very boring, ANTI TRUMP” commentary, failing to acknowledge Trump’s accomplishments according to the New York Post.

A Joke About Canada and Hockey

The renewed criticism stemmed from Maher’s reaction to a joke Trump made about China potentially terminating ice hockey in Canada and eliminating the Stanley Cup. Trump claimed Maher took the joke too seriously, questioning “What kind of a person would say such a foolish thing as this,” despite Trump’s intention being humorous as reported by USA Today.

“Trump Derangement Syndrome”

Despite acknowledging Maher as “slightly more talented” than other TV hosts who criticize him, Trump accused the comedian of suffering from a “severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome” according to Deadline.

Maher’s Previous Assessment

Following their 2025 dinner, Maher described Trump as “self-aware” and “measured,” stating, “A crazy person doesn’t live in the White House. A person who plays a crazy person on TV a lot lives there.”