“Real Time” host Bill Maher announced on Monday’s episode of his “Club Random” podcast that he will once again break bread with President Donald Trump, who publicly trashed the comedian following their first private White House meal together last year.

“I’m having dinner with him again next week, by the way,” Maher said.

Maher came under scrutiny for dining with Trump in March 2025, as the president had already taken steps toward dismantling the Department of Education and had launched mass deportations and federal immigration raids across the U.S.

The HBO host later stated Trump was “gracious and measured” during their dinner, but assured viewers that he would continue fairly criticizing the president on his show. Trump went on to slam Maher on social media, but has now purportedly invited him back.

Maher said during his podcast that Trump did so over the phone “out of the blue.”

“I was like, great!” Maher said. “And he was, like, really nice. Like, ‘I promise I won’t say bad things about you like I did the last time.’ And I texted back and I said, ‘You know what? You’re the president of the United States, say whatever the fuck you want.’”

He continued, “I’m just glad we’re talking. … It’s just what he does. It’s how he talks.”

Maher made the comments during a conversation with billionaire Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel, who noted he himself has met with Trump “to get things done.” Maher, who was called out by comedian Larry David following his first Trump dinner, agreed with that stance.

“It blows my mind that there are people in this world, and lots of them on the far left, who just would turn this opportunity down,” Maher told Emanuel. “A private dinner in the White House with the president, just a few people. Say whatever you want.”

He added, “I’ve heard people say, ‘Well, I don’t like the war.’ Tell him! You can tell him, and I will.”

Maher argued “there’s a way to talk to Donald Trump” and pushed back against criticism that he is humanizing the president. The self-described atheist said Trump is “very flawed,” adding that “we all are, under Jesus.”

The “Real Time” host notably supported the Iran war following initial joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in February and slammed former Vice President Kamala Harris for speaking out against it, only to urge Trump to “cut and run” when the president’s promises of a swift victory crumbled.

Catch the bulk of Maher’s comments starting at 53:25:

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.