OPINION:
Liberal comedian Bill Maher has never been shy about his candid views on everything from policy to personality, with the “Real Time” host bombastically and passionately defending progressive ideals.
In recent years, Mr. Maher has had a penchant for criticizing President Trump, calling him a “liar” who is “literally crazy” and guilty of “malignant narcissism,” among other harsh rebukes.
This is why Mr. Maher’s recent revelation that he plans to visit Mr. Trump at the White House sparked so much attention — and, among progressives, an almost certain level of existential angst.
Adding even more intrigue to the mix, it was musician Kid Rock who apparently brokered the stunning meet-up.
“Kid Rock was here a couple of weeks ago, and he said, ’I want you to meet Trump,’” Mr. Maher told comedian Andrew Schulz on a recent episode of Mr. Maher’s “Club Random” podcast. “He said, ’I’m gonna take you to the White House.’ So now we’re gonna do that.”
It’s important to remember that Mr. Maher and Mr. Trump have a deep history that extends far beyond Mr. Maher’s dislike for the president’s political proclivities. In fact, Mr. Trump sued Mr. Maher in 2013 over a joke the now-president didn’t appreciate.
The back-and-forth that followed has been less than pleasant.
Mr. Maher told Mr. Schulz that, over the years, his staff has collected numerous pages worth of insults Mr. Trump has lobbed at him — but the comedian is not focusing on those vitriols.
“I don’t care and he doesn’t care,” Mr. Maher said. “It’s all performative.”
The comedian is resolute to meet with Mr. Trump and isn’t bowing down to those angry or frustrated by his White House plans. In fact, he offered a rather terse response to his liberal peers who disagree or take issue with the meeting.
“There will be lots of people on the left who will be like, ’How dare you talk to this man?’” Mr. Maher said. “I’m not playing this game that you mean girls play, where they’re like ’Oh, you know what? You can’t sit at my lunch table because I’m just not talking to you.’”
In an era in which cancel culture runs amok and hatred is the political flavor of the day, Mr. Maher’s willingness to meet with Mr. Trump deserves some deeper attention.
If two ideological foes can lay down their armor and chat with one another, there’s hope for the rest of our intensely divided nation. Hence, such a move creates a blueprint that offers people help, guidance and perhaps even some inspiration about how to navigate the social and political divisions in our own lives.
The intensity of American politics in recent years has permeated almost every facet of culture, with some people even refusing to sit across holiday dinner tables with family members who have different political persuasions.
The toxicity of it all is beyond measure, so if people such as Mr. Maher and Mr. Trump can somehow cast aside negative feelings and emotions — especially after comments and actions conducted perpetually against one another on the national stage — surely ordinary Americans can learn to appropriately communicate with a friend or loved one with whom they simply disagree.
None of this reality seemed to be lost on Mr. Schulz and Mr. Maher as they discussed the White House visit, dialoguing with opponents and other related issues.
Mr. Schulz said Mr. Trump’s willingness to essentially chat with anyone is one of the elements that make him appealing to Americans — and it’s a sentiment that was on full display during the waning days of the 2024 presidential campaign when Mr. Trump engaged podcasters such as Joe Rogan.
“This is also part of American discourse,” Mr.Schulz said of the ability and willingness to speak with opponents. “This is very important.”
For his part, Mr. Maher even gave Mr. Trump praise for being willing to speak with someone like him who has openly and frequently critiqued him so fervently.
In many ways, this ability to look past wrongs and offer grace is surprising. Not only is it countercultural, but it also takes on elements of the Christian ethic — something unexpected from an outspoken atheist like Mr. Maher.
Beyond his willingness to engage, the comedian also said he plans to be “respectful” during his White House visit, adding that he believes it’s something Mr. Trump “deserves.”
“He [won] not once but twice,” Mr. Maher said. “You can’t hate everybody who voted for him. I don’t hate half the country and I don’t want to hate half the country.
“It’s an honor to be invited to the White House under any circumstances.”
Ultimately, Mr. Maher and Mr. Trump deserve accolades for the mere decision to sit down with one another.
It’s unclear how that conversation will go or what will be discussed, but in an era of rampant hatred and consternation, it’s quite shocking that two of the most boisterous and, at moments, rhetorically edgy cultural figures could end up being the poster children for positive dialogue.
It will be fascinating to see where the conversation goes, but, at the least, the mere fact it’s happening is deeply refreshing.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is the author of four books.
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