Television host Bill Maher responded sharply to President Donald Trump on Friday night after the commander-in-chief attacked him on Truth Social, calling him a “low-ratings” host with a “fake laughing machine.” The HBO “Real Time” host turned Trump’s criticism into ammunition during his opening monologue. Maher pointed directly to the president’s own approval numbers, stating, “First of all, low ratings? Yours is 35 percent!” The comment drew enthusiastic cheers from the studio audience as the comedian continued his rebuttal to Trump’s social media post.
The exchange marks the latest chapter in an ongoing feud between the late-night host and the president. Maher opened the segment by acknowledging he had grown accustomed to being a target of Trump’s online attacks. “I can always tell when the president is in a bad mood, because he starts tweeting about me,” Maher said. “I feel it’s an honor always to be in his tweets, even when they’re bad, and they’re always bad.”
Comedian challenges claim about fake audience laughter
Maher directly confronted Trump’s assertion that “Real Time” uses artificial laughter during broadcasts. The host asked his production team to cut to a shot of the studio audience to prove the laughter was genuine. “And fake, fake laughing machine, can we get a shot of our audience?” Maher asked during the segment. The show then cut to stock footage of an audience applauding, extending the joke in typical Maher fashion. “There, that should settle that,” he concluded with a smile.
Trump had mentioned Maher earlier in the week while boasting on Truth Social about political and media figures he claimed had been defeated or sidelined. In the post, Trump wrote, “My score, for two weeks, is 38-0, with three more limping Late Night Talk Show Hosts, including Low Ratings Bill Maher and his Fake ‘Laughing Machine’, to go.” The president’s comments came amid a broader pattern of targeting late-night television hosts who frequently criticize his administration.
Presidential approval numbers show lower ratings than claimed
Recent polling data contradicts Trump’s characterization of Maher as having low ratings while the president himself faces declining approval numbers. A recent poll found Trump’s overall approval rating at 39 percent, significantly lower than typical presidential approval ratings at this stage. The host seized on this data to flip the script on Trump’s insult about ratings. The exchange highlighted the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and media personalities who regularly critique the president’s policies and statements.
- Trump attacked Maher on Truth Social, calling him a low-rated host
- Maher responded by pointing to Trump’s 35 percent approval rating
- The comedian challenged claims about fake audience laughter during his show
- Trump claimed a “38-0” victory record against media and political figures
- Recent polling shows Trump’s approval at 39 percent nationally
Host references reported heated call with Israeli prime minister
Maher also used his monologue to address Trump’s reported telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Multiple news outlets reported that Trump angrily confronted Netanyahu over recent confrontations with Lebanon and Hezbollah. During the alleged call, Trump was said to have told Netanyahu, “You’re f—ing crazy,” though an Israeli source later disputed the most dramatic parts of the account. Maher referenced the reported exchange while connecting it back to Trump’s criticism of him.
“I know he’s in a foul mood,” Maher said during the segment. “Did you see the phone call he had with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel? Wow, the language.” The comedian suggested that Trump’s attacks on him might be connected to broader frustrations the president was experiencing with international relations and domestic criticism. The reference to the Netanyahu call added another layer to Maher’s response, suggesting the president’s social media attacks might stem from stress related to more serious governmental matters.
Long-running feud continues between political opposites
The relationship between Trump and Maher has been contentious for years, with both men trading barbs through various media platforms. Maher has been a consistent critic of Trump throughout his presidency, using his weekly HBO platform to challenge the president’s policies, statements, and behavior. Trump, meanwhile, has responded periodically through Truth Social posts, often attacking the host’s ratings and credibility. The back-and-forth represents a broader dynamic between the Trump administration and entertainment industry figures who oppose his political agenda.
During Friday’s episode, Maher mentioned that Trump had previously hosted him at the White House, an event the president later described on Truth Social as a “total waste of time.” The comment revealed the extent to which the relationship between the two men had deteriorated since any earlier attempts at cordial interaction. Maher’s willingness to continue engaging with Trump’s attacks, rather than ignoring them, has become a regular feature of his show. The comedian often uses presidential criticism as material for his opening monologue, turning what might be viewed as attacks into comedy segments that resonate with his audience.
