Trump calls Bill Maher 'pathetic' after White House dinner greeting.
President Donald Trump has reopened his long-standing conflict with Bill Maher by exposing what he calls the comedian's 'absolutely pathetic' initial greeting at their White House dinner.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump detailed the moment Maher entered the Oval Office.
According to the former president, the host appeared nervous and scared before uttering his first words.
Trump claimed Maher asked, 'Can I have a drink?' immediately upon arrival.
The former president described this reaction as endearing yet ultimately pathetic.
This comment adds a new dimension to Trump's strategy of portraying Maher as weak behind closed doors.
This portrayal contrasts sharply with the comedian's assertive critic persona on television.

Trump also attacked conservative media outlets for highlighting Maher's relevance within Republican circles.
He specifically named Fox News and other groups as elevating a 'low rated' figure.
Trump issued a direct order to these outlets to stop using Maher as a representative.
The two men met last year for a dinner arranged by musician Kid Rock.
That event drew significant backlash from Maher's liberal audience at the time.
Trump previously stated that Maher lacked confidence and requested a 'Vodka Tonic' to soothe his nerves.

Maher has publicly defended the decision to attend the White House dinner.
He argued the public should focus on his words afterward rather than his presence.
In an interview, Maher stated the wrong question is how dare you dine with Trump.
He insisted the real question is what was said after the meal concluded.
Trump previously addressed the dinner in February, noting Maher's lack of expected gravitas.
He claimed Maher seemed different than anticipated and had zero self-confidence.
Trump recounted that Maher told him he felt scared before the event.

The former president admitted this fear was somewhat endearing in one respect.
He noted the dinner was quick, easy, and that Maher seemed like a nice guy.
Trump stated Maher was respectful in his first show following their meeting.
However, Trump claimed Maher's show soon resumed criticizing his administration.
He criticized Maher for failing to credit him for the 'PERFECT border' and economic gains.
Trump also listed the Dow Jones reaching 50,000 points and low crime rates.

He mentioned strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as achievements Maher ignored.
This feud dates back over a decade to a 2013 legal clash.
That original conflict began with one of Maher's on-air jokes.
Trump's latest comments highlight how regulations or government directives shape public perception.
Specific details like the drink request reveal how access to information is limited.
Only the former president and his allies see these behind-the-scenes moments.
The public receives a curated version of the event through official statements.

Maher's perspective offers a counter-narrative about the nature of that dinner.
His defense emphasizes substance over the mere act of meeting the president.
President Donald Trump recently took to his social media platform to once again criticize comedian Bill Maher. In posts from both Saturday and earlier this February, the president claimed Maher is only marginally more talented than Jimmy Kimmel.
Trump also highlighted specific actions from his first term, including the military operations that resulted in the deaths of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
'In any event, it was a total waste of time for me to have this jerk at the White House,' Trump wrote. 'Fortunately, his Television Ratings are so low that nobody will learn about his various Fake News statements about me.'
He compared Maher to other comedians like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert. 'He is no different than Kimmel, Fallon, or Colbert but, I must admit, slightly more talented!' Trump stated.

This latest attack came just one day after Maher hosted California Governor Gavin Newsom on his show, Real Time. During the interview, the governor discussed the state's economic struggles and defended his record against the president.
Trump seized on the appearance, claiming Newsom dominated the exchange while Maher faltered. 'Bill Maher was defenseless, and totally deficient,' Trump wrote. He accused the host of either lacking knowledge or choking during the discussion.
The president also used the moment to critique California. He pointed to homelessness, high living costs, and the state's delayed high-speed rail project as evidence of decline. His post revived personal insults toward Newsom, mocking the governor's intelligence and leadership.
This renewed attack highlights how the feud between Trump and Maher continues to flare up unpredictably. The two first clashed publicly in 2013 when Maher joked about donating money if Trump proved he was not the son of an orangutan.
Since then, Maher has frequently criticized Trump on HBO, while the president dismissed the comedian as a lightweight. During Friday night's show, Maher took Newsom to task for attempting to imitate Trump.
Newsom has openly discussed his ambitions to run for president in 2028. Part of his publicity strategy has included sharing Trump-style insults on social media. The governor even has a press office feed dedicated to mimicking Trump's boisterous style.
Maher, a fan of Newsom, challenged him on this approach. 'Many people would say that you are imitating him. Of all the people who may or may not be running, you're the one who imitates his style with the trolling,' Maher said.

He also noted that Newsom is suing Fox News for libel. 'Fox better look to settle right now or apologize for defamation,' he said.
When Newsom bragged about the lawsuit, Maher fired back. 'Okay, but that sounds exactly what he does! Suing media?' Maher asked.
'Well then don't defame, don't lie,' Newsom replied. 'Okay, again! But that does sound like him!' Maher shot back.
Maher seemed shocked by Newsom's willingness to ape Trump's style. Newsom attempted to explain his social media approach by claiming he merely wanted to meet the moment.
'To me that's the biggest reflection of this moment, is how…the…just the sewer that we are now living in because of Donald Trump,' Newsom said.
Governor Gavin Newsom is suing Fox News for $787 million. He claims the network defamed him by editing a video to support Donald Trump's version of events. The dispute centers on a heated phone call between the two leaders on June 6, 2025. This conversation occurred during anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles. Newsom insists Trump was not acting clearly during that row. He argues the president mischaracterized the actual details of their exchange. Newsom feels compelled to take legal action because he believes his side of the story is the truth. He wants to stop what he sees as misleading edits. The lawsuit aims to protect his reputation against these alleged distortions. The governor is determined to prove his narrative is correct. He believes the network unfairly altered the footage. This move highlights how government officials can aggressively challenge media coverage. It also shows the intense pressure politicians face when their words are recorded and shared. The public now faces a clash between political power and media accountability.
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