‘Liberal Sphincters Just Tightened’ [WATCH]

Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher shared his experience dining with President Donald Trump during the opening segment of his show “Real Time with Bill Maher” on Friday, surprising many with his candid and unexpectedly positive impressions of the evening.

Maher, who has been a longtime critic of Trump, opened his monologue by admitting that what he encountered during the dinner was far from what he anticipated.

“Everything I’ve not liked about him was, I swear to God, absent. At least on this night, with this guy,” Maher, 69, told his audience.

“I never felt I had to walk on eggshells around him. And honestly, I voted for Clinton and Obama, but I would never feel comfortable talking to them the way I was able to talk with Donald Trump.”

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Maher recounted that he brought a printout of various insults Trump had previously aimed at him — terms like “sleaze-bag” and “low-life dummy” — and asked the president to sign the list.

Trump complied, signing the paper “with good humor,” according to Maher, who held it up for the audience during the broadcast.

The comedian quipped that the moment might have an effect on his liberal audience, saying, “And I know, that as I say that, millions of liberal sphincters just tightened.”

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Maher revealed that Trump gifted him several “Make America Great Again” hats during the dinner, which took place in the same room where former President Bill Clinton was alleged to have had encounters with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Maher clarified that there was no expectation for him to adopt the MAGA mantra, saying he didn’t feel pressured.

He then described Trump’s demeanor during their conversation as attentive and respectful, noting a stark contrast between Trump’s private and public personas.

“I’ve had so many conversations with prominent people who are much less connected,” Maher said.

“People that don’t look you in the eye. People that don’t really listen… None of that with him. Mostly he steered the conversation to ‘what do you think about this?’ I know. Your mind is blown. So is mine.”

The discussion touched on global policy issues as well. Maher said that during dinner, Trump asked for his opinion on the Iran nuclear situation.

Maher responded with criticism of Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Obama-era deal, but said the president listened without becoming angry.

“He didn’t get mad or call me a left-wing lunatic. He took it in,” Maher said.

In a moment that stood out to the host, Maher said Trump used the word “lost” in reference to the 2020 presidential election.

Maher noted that he was surprised and told the president, “Wow, I never thought I’d hear you say that.” Trump reportedly took the remark in stride.

Maher also remarked on Trump’s sense of humor, saying it was more genuine in private than what is often seen in public. “Just for starters, he laughs,” Maher said.

“I’d never seen him laugh in public. But he does — including at himself — and it’s not fake. Believe me, as a comedian of forty years, I know a fake laugh when I hear it.”

Maher said Trump also joked about former President Ronald Reagan while showing him around the Oval Office.

Referring to a portrait of Reagan, Trump reportedly said, “The best thing about [President Ronald Reagan] was his hair.”

Maher responded by reminding Trump that Reagan also played a key role in ending the Soviet Union, which Trump reportedly found amusing.

Maher said the evening became even more surreal when he returned home, turned on the television, and saw Trump back in his public role.

“Who’s that guy? And why can’t we get the guy I met to be the public guy?” Maher said. “A crazy person does not live in the White House. A person who plays a crazy person on TV a lot lives there.”

Twelve days ago, I had dinner with President Trump, a dinner that my friend @KidRock set up because we share the belief that there has to be something better than hurling insults from 3000 miles away. pic.twitter.com/KE2t2eyBkI

— Bill Maher (@billmaher) April 12, 2025

The dinner was organized by musician Kid Rock and attended by UFC President Dana White, according to Maher.

The comedian’s comments marked a rare moment of praise from a prominent media figure who has frequently criticized Trump, drawing attention for its unexpected tone and revealing insights into the president’s private interactions.

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