“One of the Most Effective Politicians” [WATCH]

In a moment few would have predicted, comedian and long-standing Donald Trump critic Bill Maher has offered rare praise for the former president, calling him “one of the most effective politicians” in the country.

The surprising acknowledgment came just days after Maher attended a private White House dinner with Trump, a meeting arranged by musician and Trump supporter Kid Rock.

During Sunday’s episode of his popular “Club Random” podcast, Maher sat down with NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo and openly discussed his impressions of Trump—not as a supporter, but as an observer of political craft.

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“Trump really … is one of the most effective politicians … whatever you think of the policy and him as a person,” Maher said, conceding admiration for Trump’s authenticity and raw connection with voters.

“Just as a politician, just understanding that [you should] always lean in to being more who you are.”

Maher, 69, emphasized that authenticity in politics can often be more powerful than policy. “The people are not savvy about issues but they smell a phony a mile away, and that kind of s–t, nobody else does it,” he noted, in a moment of striking candor.

The acknowledgment marks a notable shift in tone from Maher, who has spent nearly a decade criticizing Trump, frequently lampooning him on his HBO series “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

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However, his recent experience dining with the former president appears to have left a nuanced impression.

Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, helped organize the White House dinner, which also included UFC President Dana White. According to Rock, Maher was visibly nervous ahead of the meeting.

“He was a little nervous at first,” Rock told Sean Hannity in an interview last week.

“They both have extremely deep knowledge of American history, both very smart guys, and you know, very reasonable people, even though they’ve had this pretty harsh relationship. It was cool.”

During the dinner, Trump asked Maher if he’d like a drink, and when Maher jokingly requested a margarita, Trump had the White House staff prepare one for him—a lighthearted moment that reflected a more personal side of both men.

Despite his ideological differences with Trump, Maher pointed out that the former president possesses political instincts that many in the Democratic Party lack.

“You know, he has those moments that no other politician has,” Maher said. “And the Democrats have to find that guy. But let’s be real — they’ve been searching for years, and they’re still coming up empty.”

Maher recalled one moment in particular that left an impression on him—Trump’s warning to a Taliban leader during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

“When he did that thing where the guy came in from the Taliban and he said, ‘This is an aerial picture of your house. If during our withdrawal one American is hurt, just know I know where you live,’” Maher said.

“I was like, ‘Oh, can we just play the music now? Because I don’t care it’s Donald Trump and he’s the worst person ever, blah, blah, blah — I f–king love that!’”

Maher also pointed to Trump’s uncanny ability to position himself as a champion for the average American—something he believes resonates deeply with voters across the political spectrum.

“One time they were doing something, something was going on and he said, ‘You know what? When you come after New York, you gotta go through me.’

It’s like, oh — hometown boy,” Maher said, highlighting the former president’s emotional appeal.

The dinner appears to have opened a door for more candid dialogue between two public figures who have often been at odds.

According to Kid Rock, the conversation remained focused on areas of agreement rather than conflict.

“We basically stuck to things that we agreed on,” he said.

Though Maher made it clear that his political disagreements with Trump remain intact, his latest remarks suggest a broader recognition of Trump’s political effectiveness—a nod to the former president’s enduring connection with the American electorate.

In a political landscape often marked by polarization and personal attacks, Maher’s willingness to credit Trump where he sees merit stands out.

Whether this marks the beginning of a shift in tone or simply a rare moment of mutual respect, one thing is clear: Maher’s assessment of Trump as “one of the most effective politicians” is sure to spark conversation on both sides of the aisle.

WATCH IT BELOW:

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