President Donald Trump escalated his long-standing conflict with Bill Maher in a lengthy Truth Social post on Saturday, blasting the HBO host as a "MORON" who "choked" during a recent interview with California Governor Gavin Newsom. The 79-year-old president also took aim at Fox News and other conservative outlets, accusing them of making Maher relevant to Republican politics by repeatedly inviting him on air. "Fox should stop putting this person on," Trump wrote. "He's not representing us. You look weak, stupid, and ineffective, and I hate seeing that."
Trump's outburst followed coverage by Fox's The Big Weekend Show, where panelists discussed Maher's interview with Newsom and praised the host for pressing the governor on California's high-speed rail project and rising living costs. The president interpreted the segment entirely differently, claiming that Newsom—whom he called "Newscum"—dominated the conversation and that Maher was "defenseless, and totally deficient." Trump also revisited a past White House dinner with Maher, alleging the host appeared nervous and scared, and mocking him for requesting a drink upon entering the Oval Office.
During the interview, Maher had raised a pointed observation about Newsom's political tactics, accusing the governor of imitating Trump's combative style and approach. "Among all the people who may or may not be running, you are the one who kind of imitates his style with the trolling," Maher said, referencing Newsom's lawsuit against Fox News. Newsom acknowledged the parallel without rejecting it, stating he was "trying to put a mirror up to Donald Trump."
Trump concluded his Truth Social post with a directive to conservative media: "DON'T USE BILL MAHER ANY LONGER AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF YOU!" He also compared the comedian unfavorably to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, describing Maher as "slightly more talented." The latest clash demonstrates Trump's continued focus on late-night television personalities, even as he characterizes such programming as receiving excessive media attention.
