Photo: Alamy
President Trump invited one of his harshest critics for dinner at the White House on Sunday night. Bill Maher, host of the HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” was joined by Kid Rock and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White for a meeting with the President.
The dinner had been suggested and arranged by Kid Rock, who is friendly with both Maher and President Trump.
When he appeared on Maher’s podcast, Club Random, Kid Rock suggested the meeting as a way to set an example of unity for the rest of the country.
Maher has been notoriously critical of President Trump, and the feeling is mutual. According to Greg Gutfeld of Fox News, “Bill, when he showed up at the White House he actually brought a list of insults that Trump had said about him, and gave it to Trump and what did he do? He signed it.” Gutfeld said. “Which is very Trumpian. And they laughed and they laughed.”
Gutfeld was complimentary of Maher for taking the step and meeting with Trump, despite his vocal opposition. “Kudos to Maher,” Gutfeld said. “And you’ve got to give credit to Kid Rock.”
As for Kid Rock, he described the meeting as a very positive experience. In an appearance on Fox and Friends, he told the hosts, “It could not have been better. Everyone was so surprised, so pleasant.”
He also said he was shocked to learn Maher had never been to the White House. “The President was so gracious. He took us up to the private residence. We saw the Gettysburg address and the Lincoln bedroom.” Rock said.
There was a substantive aspect to the meeting as well. “We talked about things we had in common. We talked about ending wokeness, securing the border. The President was asking him what he thought about policy going on with Iran and Israel…It blew my mind.” Kid Rock said. “I was very proud.”
When asked if he thought Maher liked President Trump after meeting him, Kid Rock responded positively. “Absolutely. Everyone’s mind was kind of blown…Even the President’s I think.”
Kid Rock described his goal in bringing the two together as a way to set an example for the rest of the country. “We’re just trying to show people that even though we’ve been pretty hard on each other, when you get face to face maybe we could have a little more civility in this country and try to bring people together. That was my whole intention.”
