Culture 2 min read By Morgan Griffin
Bill Maher Defends White House Dinner After Trump's Social Media Attack
The host of "Real Time with Bill Maher" responded to the president's criticism by saying his behavior resembles that of Taylor Swift.
Bill Maher found himself in an awkward situation: after a recent dinner with Donald Trump, the president publicly criticized him on social media. The host responded on "Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO, comparing Trump to Taylor Swift.
In one of the recent episodes of the show, the political commentator defended his visit to the White House. He said: "You know what? Screw you. I like these dinners." Maher then held a fairly friendly conversation with Trump, which many viewers found strikingly surprising from a host known for sharply criticizing the president.
Shortly after the dinner, Trump posted a social media message of about 1,300 words, calling Maher a "total and complete loser." The host reacted to this post in a later episode of the show, remarking that such a long post looked more like a sign of attention-seeking than a simple insult.
The same episode fits into a broader dispute over press access to the president. This week, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico challenged a new White House decision that restricts these outlets' access to areas such as Air Force One and the Oval Office. Federal judge Timothy Kelly has already issued a ruling on a broader ban on three outlets, which closed their access to certain events and spaces. Lawyers for the media companies say such measures create a serious "chilling effect" on journalism.
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