New York Post
Daily Mail
NewsweekPresident Trump posted a lengthy Truth Social message Saturday criticizing comedian Bill Maher, saying their White House dinner in 2025 was a waste of time. Trump claimed Maher was nervous during the meeting and has since returned to criticizing his administration. Maher recently defended dining with Trump in a CNN interview.
On Saturday, February 14, 2026, President Trump posted a nearly 500-word message on Truth Social criticizing comedian Bill Maher. Trump recounted details from a White House dinner with Maher that occurred in March or April 2025, which was arranged through mutual friend Kid Rock and also included UFC CEO Dana White. Trump claimed Maher requested a vodka tonic immediately upon entering the Oval Office and said he was "scared."
Trump stated that while Maher was initially respectful about their meeting on his HBO show "Real Time," he later resumed criticism of the administration. The president's post was triggered by Maher's Friday episode, where the comedian questioned Trump's Truth Social statement about China potentially terminating ice hockey in Canada. Trump maintains this statement was a joke that Maher mischaracterized.
Separately, clips from a CNN interview with Maher by Elex Michaelson were posted Saturday, in which Maher defended the dinner and said people who stopped watching his show because of it were "idiots." Maher stated he continues to criticize Trump when warranted and was not "seduced" by the dinner. Maher also revealed that Trump texts him, with the president calling him part of the "lunatic left."
The articles focus heavily on Trump's characterization of events without providing Maher's direct response to Trump's specific claims about his behavior at the dinner. None include Maher's perspective on whether he actually requested a vodka tonic or expressed being scared. The full context of what Maher said on his Friday show about Trump beyond the ice hockey comment is largely absent. Additionally, the articles don't explore whether Trump's claim that his Canada-China ice hockey statement was "joking" is consistent with his other statements about Canada, or provide independent verification of the dinner details from the other attendees (Kid Rock or Dana White). The timing of the post—Valentine's Day—and what specifically may have prompted it beyond Maher's Friday show receives minimal analysis.
Headline uses highly charged language: "erupts," "unhinged tirade." This characterization of Trump's post as "unhinged" is editorial judgment presented as fact. Article provides minimal context for understanding the conflict and frames Trump's behavior as irrational without exploring whether his claims about Maher might have any validity.
“erupts over 'waste of time'”
“unhinged tirade”
Headline characterizes Trump's post as "hate-fueled," an emotional interpretation presented as fact. Article emphasizes that "Maher has made it clear he has no ill will toward Trump" while Trump is "not mutual," framing Trump as the aggressor. References Maher calling Trump's first 100 days a "s--tshow" but doesn't explore whether this supports Trump's complaint.
“hate-fueled Valentine's message”
“long-winded rant”
Article frames Trump's post as responding to Maher's "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and emphasizes Trump's accomplishments uncritically. The Valentine's Day framing is used to make Trump's message seem humorous rather than petty. Selectively highlights Maher's criticism of Trump while downplaying context that might explain why Maher resumed criticism.
“Trump ripped a famous comedian for his Trump Derangement Syndrome”
“TDS-ridden TV host”
Article uses charged language like "rages" and "bizarre details" in headline, framing Trump's behavior as abnormal. Emphasizes the Valentine's Day timing and describes Trump's post as him "lashing out." Provides Maher's context but structures the narrative to question Trump's version of events without directly challenging it.
“rages about Bill Maher”
“gives bizarre details about their dinner”
This article emphasizes Trump's attacks on Maher while providing context about their ongoing conflict, including the orangutan lawsuit and Obama ape video. The framing subtly questions Trump's characterization by noting Maher "continues tearing him a new one," suggesting Maher's criticism is warranted. Includes photo evidence of the dinner.
“trashes Bill Maher”
“their truce crumbles”
This article presents Trump's claims largely unchallenged, giving substantial space to his characterization of accomplishments like "PERFECT Border" and "Lowest Crime in 125 years" without fact-checking. The piece emphasizes Maher's alleged nervousness and frames Trump's perspective sympathetically while providing minimal counter-narrative from Maher beyond brief context.
“Bill Maher is a highly overrated LIGHTWEIGHT”
“Republicans should stop using him to show how the Left is coming over our way”
Leads with Maher's revelation about Trump texting him, which provides important additional context. Balances both perspectives but gives slightly more weight to Maher's characterization of Trump as someone who "operates everything out of a personal relationship." Notes the timing of interview clips relative to Trump's post.
“You're still part of the lunatic left”
“He watches, he gets it, that I didn't change”
Provides substantial context about the dinner origins and aftermath, including Kid Rock's role and mixed reactions to Maher's comments. Fairly balanced presentation of both Trump's criticism and Maher's defense of meeting with Trump. Includes relevant background about their relationship history.
“As though I were being serious when I said it”
“I jokingly stated in a TRUTH”
Straightforward reporting of Trump's Truth Social post with extensive direct quotes. Provides context about the dinner arrangement and includes Maher's recent comments. The article maintains neutral tone and lets Trump's words speak for themselves without heavy editorializing, though it does provide some context for understanding the conflict.
“Sometimes in life you waste time!”
“it was a total waste of time for me to have this jerk at the White House”
Straightforward reporting emphasizing Trump's characterization of the dinner as wasted time. Provides context from both Maher's CNN interview and Trump's post. Neutral tone with minimal editorializing. Notes timing relative to other Trump activities like Iran statements, providing perspective.
“Sometimes in life you waste time!”
“total waste of time”
This article provides straightforward reporting of Maher's environmental comments from his show, with minimal framing or editorializing. The headline and content accurately reflect Maher's position criticizing both environmentalists' exaggerations and Trump's deregulation. No significant omissions or loaded language detected.
“I always thought, when Trump first ran, the most damage he possibly could do would be the environment”
“it's still really happening, guys, it's not a hoax, okay”
Balanced reporting of both Trump's post and Maher's recent comments. Provides relevant historical context including the 2013 orangutan lawsuit and Larry David's "My Dinner with Adolf" piece. Neutral tone throughout with direct quotes from both parties. Includes Maher's recent criticisms of Trump to explain Trump's reaction.
“lambasts Maher rhetoric as 'very boring, anti-Trump'”
“I'm actually scared”
Brief, factual summary focused on Trump's post and Maher's CNN interview response. Minimal interpretation or framing. Lets both parties' statements stand without heavy editorializing. Notes context about people who stopped watching Maher's show after the dinner, providing fuller picture of the controversy.
“total waste of time”
“They're always asking the wrong question”
Brief excerpt focused solely on Trump's description of the dinner setup and Maher's alleged nervousness. Minimal framing or context. Appears to be part of a live updates format rather than standalone analysis. No significant bias detected in the limited content provided.
“Sometimes in life you waste time!”
“He was extremely nervous, had ZERO confidence in himself”
A YouGov poll found 42% of Americans believe Bad Bunny better represents America compared to 39% who chose President Trump, following the artist's Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime performance. The performance, watched by 128 million viewers, drew sharp partisan reactions and criticism from Trump and some conservatives.
Former President Barack Obama addressed a video posted on Trump's Truth Social account that depicted him and Michelle Obama as apes. In a podcast interview, Obama said most Americans find such behavior troubling and criticized the loss of 'decorum' in politics. The White House blamed a staffer and deleted the post after bipartisan criticism.
Trump's framing serves to undermine a critic who has occasionally defended aspects of his presidency to liberal audiences, potentially discrediting Maher's critiques among conservatives who might otherwise value his occasional criticism of the left. By portraying Maher as weak and nervous in private while aggressive in public, Trump attempts to paint him as inauthentic. This narrative also benefits Trump's broader "fake news" framing and his characterization of media critics as suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome." Media outlets benefit from the conflict, as celebrity feuds generate engagement. The story serves as distraction from policy discussions or more substantive political developments.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a conciliatory speech at the Munich Security Conference, assuring European allies that America and Europe "belong together" and their fates remain intertwined. While softer in tone than Vice President Vance's 2025 address, Rubio still criticized European migration, climate, and UN policies while calling for Europe to strengthen its defenses and embrace its heritage.
