Comedian Bill Maher said he expects to have dinner with President Donald Trump again next week, according to a Monday episode of Maher’s “Club Random” podcast featuring Hollywood executive Ari Emanuel.
Maher said Trump contacted him about meeting again after their earlier dinner. Maher described Trump’s message as nice and said he replied that he was glad they were talking. The report did not establish whether the planned dinner had already occurred.
Maher and Emanuel said it is preferable to speak with people whose views differ from one’s own. Emanuel, who previously represented Trump during his time as host of “The Apprentice,” said he had spoken with the president that Monday. Maher argued that critics should use opportunities for private conversation to raise their disagreements directly.
The discussion also touched on criticism Maher received from his client Larry David after Maher’s earlier dinner with Trump. Maher accused David of applying a double standard, pointing to Emanuel’s own contact with the president. Those remarks were made during the podcast conversation.
Maher and Trump had been public adversaries for years before a meeting arranged by their mutual friend Kid Rock led to a White House dinner. Maher later said Trump was more gracious in person than he expected. He also said he was able to speak candidly with Trump during the meeting.
The source report said the White House and Maher’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment about the planned dinner. The account of the invitation and text exchange is attributed to Maher’s statements on his podcast.
