Maher faces criticism for soft interview with former press secretary Leavitt
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
New details highlight the friendly tone of Bill Maher’s interview with former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on “Real Time”, following Maher’s recent dinner with Donald Trump. The exchange drew attention because Maher had previously mocked Leavitt’s defence of Trump after he insulted a reporter, but the article says he offered her little challenge in this interview.
Leavitt said she left the White House role in August to care for her two children, aged two years and six months, and would join Fox News as a pundit on 1 November. She relayed Trump’s message that he enjoyed the dinner with Maher, who praised Trump’s energy and said the White House needed a ballroom. Maher did not press Leavitt on Trump’s war with Iran or his relationship with Fox News.
- Sources
- 2
- Outlets
- 2
- Left · Centre · Right
- 0 · 0 · 1
In short
- Maher’s interview with Leavitt was notably friendly.
- Leavitt is set to join Fox News on 1 November.
- Maher did not press her on Iran or Fox News.
How this story developed
- 1 minute ago The account adds that Maher did not question Leavitt about Trump’s war with Iran or his relationship with Fox News, while she said she would join the network as a pundit on 1 November after leaving her White House role to care for her children.
- 6 minutes ago A friendly interview between Bill Maher and former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on “Real Time” drew notice after Maher’s recent dinner with Donald Trump, with the article saying he did little to challenge her claims.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A friendly interview can help viewers hear directly from a prominent former White House spokesperson and make political conversation less combative. Maher may have judged that rapport would draw out Leavitt’s perspective, while his comments about Trump and the ballroom reflected his own impressions rather than an endorsement of every presidential policy.
The case against
A high-profile interview carries a responsibility to test consequential claims, especially when the guest served in the White House and is moving into political commentary. By not pressing Leavitt on Iran or Trump’s relationship with Fox News, and by responding warmly to Trump’s account of their dinner, Maher may have left viewers without useful scrutiny of issues central to the administration.
Explained simply
Real Time is a US television programme hosted by comedian Bill Maher, where political guests discuss current affairs. Karoline Leavitt served as White House press secretary under President Donald Trump, speaking to journalists on behalf of his administration.
Maher has criticised Leavitt’s defence of Trump in the past, and he recently had dinner with the president. Leavitt has said she left her White House post to care for her children and plans to work as a Fox News pundit.
Coverage · 2 sources
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Variety as “Bill Maher’s Embarrassing Karoline Leavitt Interview on ‘Real Time’”.