LOS ANGELES — The long-standing tension between late-night host Bill Maher and former President Donald Trump reached a boiling point this Saturday, February 14, 2026. In a series of heated public statements, Trump lashed out at the Real Time host, expressing deep regret over a White House dinner the two shared in 2025.
The feud ignited following Maher’s recent return to HBO for the 2026 season of Real Time with Bill Maher, which premiered on January 23. Trump, speaking on Saturday, labeled Maher a “jerk” and described their previous meeting as a “total waste of time,” despite Maher’s initial reports that the gathering had been respectful.
A Career Defined by Controversy
Born on January 20, 1956, in New York City, Bill Maher has spent over four decades at the forefront of American political satire. A graduate of Cornell University, Maher began his career in 1979 at the legendary comedy club Catch a Rising Star. Since then, he has become one of the most influential—and polarizing—voices in media.
Maher is best known for his acerbic wit and his refusal to adhere to strict partisan lines. While often categorized as “Lean Left” by media analysts, he has increasingly drawn fire from progressive circles for his blunt takedowns of “woke culture” and political correctness. This “practical” approach to politics has earned him 41 Primetime Emmy nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Latest Headlines and Cultural Commentary
Beyond his clash with Trump, Maher has dominated the news cycle this week with several high-profile takes on pop culture and national events:
- Super Bowl Backlash: Maher issued a scathing critique of Republican reactions to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, accusing critics of “pretending to hate” the show for political theater.
- Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce: The comedian made headlines by weighing in on the NFL’s most famous couple, offering a bold comparison between Kelce and Swift’s former partners.
- Club Random Success: Maher’s podcast, Club Random, continues to top charts with recent high-profile guests including Tim Allen and John Stamos.
The “Civil Discourse” Debate
The recent friction regarding his 2025 dinner with Trump highlights Maher’s commitment to what he calls “civil discourse.” In a recent interview with CNN’s Elex Michaelson, Maher addressed the backlash from fans who stopped watching his show after he met with the former president. Maher defended the move, suggesting that the inability to sit down with political opponents is a primary driver of American division.
As Real Time enters its 24th year on HBO, Maher remains a fixture of Friday night television, airing at 10:00 PM ET. Whether through his new Substack, his best-selling books, or his weekly monologues, Maher continues to challenge the orthodoxies of both the left and the right, ensuring his place as the nation’s most prominent—and provocative—political satirist.