Comedian Patton Oswalt voiced criticism of “Real Time” host Bill Maher, asserting that Maher’s attempts to appease President Donald Trump were misguided. According to Oswalt, Maher was wrong to think he could align with Trump without becoming a target himself.
In an interview with SiriusXM host Dean Obeidallah, Oswalt remarked, “Trump is turning on Bill Maher because Bill tried to, I’m sure with good intentions, placate him and you can’t do that with him.” He compared Maher’s approach to those of hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, who have consistently opposed Trump.
Oswalt continued, “Colbert and Kimmel… Trump hates them because they don’t love him. He craves admiration, but once he gets it, he loses respect for them, as he harbors self-loathing.” Oswalt advised maintaining a firm stance against Trump. “You have to stick with your guns and just say, ‘Yeah, this guy is terrible.’ In the long run, that’ll pay off, and even if you consider basic greed, anyone dealing with Trump ends up ruined.”
“You just have to stick with your guns and just go, ‘Yeah, this guy sucks.’ In the long run, it will pay out, and anyone who does business with Trump, you would just think basic greed would make you want to defy him, because anyone that does business with him, you get destroyed!”
The remarks from Oswalt seemed linked to a February incident where Trump criticized Maher on Truth Social. Maher’s comments included mocking Trump over a suggestion that deepening economic ties between China and Canada would lead to the end of hockey in Canada.
Maher addressed Trump’s critique, recalling their dinner as not a “waste of time.” He noted, “Trump went off on me and said the dinner we had was a waste of time. Well, I didn’t think it was.” Maher persisted with his criticism of Trump, emphasizing that his stance had not changed.
Fox News Digital attempted to contact representatives for Maher’s “Real Time” show for comments, but there was no immediate response.
Taylor Penley is an associate editor with Fox News.