On October 13, 2025, a moment of unexpected candor unfolded on Bill Maher’s 'Club Random' podcast, sending ripples through political circles and social media feeds alike. The outspoken comedian, long known for his pointed criticism of President Donald Trump, surprised listeners by openly acknowledging Trump’s "enormous success" during his second term in office. Sitting across from actor William H. Macy, Maher conceded, "I did not vote for him, but I can’t deny his success."
This wasn’t just a passing remark. Maher doubled down on his point, emphasizing the importance of respecting achievement even when it doesn’t align with one’s personal preferences. "You just have to give your respect even if it’s not your thing. Have the humility to give it up for enormous success on any level. Trump — not my choice, didn’t vote for him… and he’s – I can’t deny the success," Maher said, as reported by the Tampa Free Press and echoed across several outlets. Macy, for his part, agreed: "I can't either, and he's the president."
The timing of Maher’s comments was anything but coincidental. Just days earlier, President Trump had brokered a high-stakes peace deal between Israel and Hamas, culminating in the release of 20 Israeli hostages held since the October 7, 2023, massacre, and a reciprocal release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Trump’s intervention was widely covered, with Getty Images capturing the president at a world leaders’ summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and addressing Israel’s Knesset in Jerusalem. There, Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "you’re not at war anymore Bibi," pledging "never forget, and never again," and urging Israel to pursue peace for the entire Middle East. He even called on Israel’s president to issue a "pardon" to Netanyahu for any future corruption prosecutions.
Maher’s praise, then, came on the heels of what many described as a monumental diplomatic achievement. As Raw Story noted, the admiration from a liberal stalwart like Maher caught many of Trump’s supporters off guard. Senator Ted Cruz shared the podcast clip on social media, while conservative commentator Frank Ferriolo quipped, "Maher better be careful! He might paint himself into a pickle if he counts up all of Trump’s successes!" Even Newsmax host David J Harris Jr weighed in, writing, "AMAZING! Bill Maher proudly shows off his signed list of Trump insults to William H. Macy."
But Maher’s willingness to give credit where it’s due didn’t stop at the podcast table. He also recounted his recent dinner with President Trump at the White House, a meeting arranged by mutual friend Kid Rock. During the April 2025 visit, Maher presented Trump with a printout listing 56 insults the president had lobbed at him over the years—a list Trump autographed with what Maher described as "good humor." Maher later reflected on the encounter during an episode of his HBO show 'Real Time,' stating, "You can hate me for it, but I'm not a liar. Trump was gracious and measured. And why isn't that in other settings — I don't know, and I can't answer, and it's not my place to answer. I'm just telling you what I saw, and I wasn't high."
Maher, who has spent decades lampooning politicians of all stripes, admitted to being surprised by the president’s demeanor in private. "Just for starters, he laughs! I've never seen him laugh in public. But he does, including at himself. And it's not fake. Believe me, as a comedian of 40 years, I know a fake laugh when I hear it," Maher observed. He also noted feeling more at ease speaking with Trump than with former Presidents Clinton or Obama, suggesting, "this difference is emblematic of why the Democrats are so unpopular these days."
The conversation between Maher and Macy wasn’t all politics, though. They bantered about music, with Maher expressing admiration for Taylor Swift as a person but confessing he didn’t connect with her music. Their discussion also veered into generational divides, with both men—Maher at 69 and Macy at 75—lamenting what they saw as youthful naivete about communism. "You know, a lot of the younger people are all excited about communism," Maher said. "Well, that’s because you’re dumb and you didn’t study this. It’s not all your fault. They just didn’t teach it to you. But us older people know they tried it, and it was a f***ing nightmare." Macy concurred, calling it "a nightmare, a murderous nightmare." Maher went on to extol capitalism’s virtues, despite its flaws, noting, "Capitalism, with all its problems, is by far the best system, and it has lifted the most people out of poverty than anything." He cited progress in reducing extreme poverty since the turn of the century as evidence.
Throughout the podcast, Maher’s tone was one of reluctant admiration, not conversion. He remained clear that Trump was not his political choice, but insisted on the value of honest acknowledgment. "I always say this, you cannot ever deny success. You just have to give your respect even if it’s not your thing," he repeated, a sentiment that seemed to resonate with Macy and, perhaps unexpectedly, with many listeners across the political spectrum.
Social media quickly lit up with reactions from all sides. MAGA supporters were astonished—and in some cases delighted—by Maher’s comments, while some of his liberal fans expressed dismay. Yet the moment also sparked a broader conversation about the importance of recognizing achievement, even when it comes from political adversaries. As Maher put it, "Have the humility to give it up for enormous success on any level."
In a political era marked by polarization and mutual distrust, Maher’s remarks stood out for their candor and willingness to cross tribal lines. Whether his comments mark a shift in the broader public discourse remains to be seen, but for now, the comedian has reignited debate about what it means to respect success—and the people who achieve it—even when one disagrees with everything else they stand for.
