Bill Maher recounts Larry David falling out, celebrity backlash after Trump White House dinner
Comedian Bill Maher discussed the fallout from a 2025 White House dinner with President Donald Trump during an appearance on ABC's "This Week," revealing that his friend Larry David remains angry with him over the visit. Maher's decision to dine with Trump, and his later acceptance of the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize, sparked criticism from other celebrities, highlighting the deep divisions within entertainment circles over engaging with the president.
Maher argued that Trump felt "betrayed" by barbs directed at him following the dinner, suggesting the backlash coloured the president's view of the encounter. He also separately dismissed as "so stupid" the trend of anti-Trump artists withdrawing from Kennedy Center performances in protest, indicating his broader stance against boycotting cultural institutions over political disagreements.
In short
- Bill Maher says Larry David still furious over his Trump White House dinner
- Maher's dinner and Kennedy Center award drew celebrity backlash
- Maher calls artists boycotting the Kennedy Center "so stupid"
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The principle that dialogue and personal engagement should transcend partisan divisions is important for a functioning society—artists need not withdraw from all interaction with political figures they oppose, nor should cultural institutions be weaponised as political tools through coordinated boycotts. Engaging with people across the aisle, maintaining friendships despite disagreements, and accepting professional honours should remain separate from one's political views, preserving space for the civil discourse that a polarised society needs.
The case against
High-profile cultural figures bear responsibility to consider what their public choices communicate, and attending White House events or accepting prominent honours whilst a president is viewed as fundamentally threatening sends a message that normalises him in the eyes of many Americans. Boycotts and withdrawal, though uncomfortable, are meaningful forms of protest available to artists when they believe core values are at stake, and requests for solidarity are not unreasonable when the stakes feel existential to those opposing the administration.
Explained simply
Bill Maher is an established comedian and television host, whilst Larry David is another prominent comedian with a long career in entertainment. Maher attended a White House dinner with President Donald Trump in 2025, a decision that upset David and sparked broader criticism from other celebrities. The two men have been friends, and this decision has created tension between them.
The dinner reflects wider divisions within the entertainment industry over how to engage with the Trump administration. Some artists have boycotted cultural events, including Kennedy Center performances, as a form of protest. Maher's attendance at the White House dinner, combined with his acceptance of the Mark Twain Prize—a prestigious Kennedy Center award—placed him at odds with those pursuing this boycott approach.
The entertainment world has long been divided over Trump's presidency and policies. Different figures hold varying views on whether attending White House events or accepting honours from mainstream institutions represents inappropriate engagement or simply professional conduct. Maher's recent decisions have highlighted these existing divisions within the industry, particularly among his peers in comedy.
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