Trending Now - Patton Oswalt Critiques Bill Maher's Attempt to Soothe Trump

WHO:

Fox News - Comedian Patton Oswalt criticized Bill Maher.

Fox News - President Donald Trump was involved in the dispute with Bill Maher.

Fox News - Bill Maher is the host of "Real Time."

WHAT:

Fox News - Patton Oswalt stated that Maher’s attempts to "placate" Trump were misguided.

Fox News - Trump referred to his dinner with Maher as a "total waste of time."

Fox News - Oswalt argued that Maher’s approach would ultimately make him a target of Trump.

Fox News - Trump criticized Maher for mocking his comments about China and hockey.

WHERE:

Fox News - The dinner between Trump and Maher took place at the White House.

Fox News - Maher appeared on "The Megyn Kelly Show" at SiriusXM Studios in New York City.

WHEN:

Fox News - The dinner between Trump and Maher occurred in April of the previous year.

Fox News - Trump made his comments about Maher on Truth Social in February.

Fox News - Maher defended himself against Trump’s criticisms after the dinner.

WHY:

Fox News - Oswalt suggested that Trump does not respect those who try to appease him, stating, "The minute they love him, he has zero respect for them."

Fox News - Oswalt indicated that Trump’s behavior stems from self-hatred.

HOW:

Fox News - Oswalt contrasted Maher’s approach with that of anti-Trump hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, who do not seek to placate Trump.

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 23:14 UTC)

Comedian Patton Oswalt has criticized Bill Maher for his attempts to appease President Trump, suggesting that such efforts are misguided and could ultimately make Maher a target for Trump’s ire. In a recent exchange, Trump referred to his dinner with Maher at the White House as a "total waste of time" and mocked Maher for his comments about China and hockey. Oswalt pointed out that unlike Maher, anti-Trump hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert do not seek to placate Trump, emphasizing that the former president respects those who stand firm against him.