Trump Dines With Bill Maher, Stephen A. Smith, and Kid Rock

WHO:

Fox News - Trump hosted Kid Rock, Bill Maher, and Stephen A. Smith for dinner.

Deadline - Trump referred to Bill Maher as someone who "likes me a lot more than people understand."

WHAT:

Alternet - Stephen A. Smith recounted that Trump expressed confidence about campaigning, stating, "I’m going to campaign. I’m going to go all over this country and help whoever I have to help and do whatever I have to do because the people love me."

Alternet - Smith noted that Trump claimed, "did you know that 99 percent of Republicans actually approve of me?" during their dinner conversation.

Alternet - Smith described being surprised that Trump dedicated more than four hours to the dinner, stating, "It was shocking. I didn’t I certainly didn’t expect that amount of time."

Alternet - Smith mentioned that Trump took them on a tour of the White House, including the West Wing, the Rose Garden, and the colonnade featuring pictures of every president except Joe Biden.

Alternet - Smith recounted that Trump was convinced he could reverse the damage by putting his face out on the campaign trail, rallying voters, despite acknowledging that Republicans would likely lose the House and possibly the Senate in the midterms.

Alternet - Trump disavowed the polls indicating low popularity, stating, "did you know that 99 percent of Republicans actually approve of me? So the people out there that are conservatives, that are Republicans, they love me, I love them."

Alternet - Smith noted that Trump claimed, "did you know that 99 percent of Republicans actually approve of me?" during their dinner conversation.

Alternet - Smith described being surprised that Trump dedicated more than four hours to the dinner, stating, "It was shocking. I didn’t I certainly didn’t expect that amount of time."

Alternet - Smith mentioned that Trump took them on a tour of the White House, including the West Wing, the Rose Garden, and the colonnade featuring pictures of every president except Joe Biden.

NY Post - Kid Rock described the dinner as involving "two Democrats, two Republicans sit down, break bread, have laughs."

Fox News - The dinner discussion included topics such as socialism and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).

Fox News - Kid Rock described the dinner as "epic" during his appearance on "Fox & Friends."

Deadline - Trump stated, "It was a great dinner, it was a very informative dinner," highlighting the intelligence of the guests.

WHERE:

Deadline - The dinner took place at the White House.

WHEN:

Deadline - Trump made comments about the dinner on a Friday.

WHY:

Deadline - Trump expressed admiration for the guests, indicating a positive relationship with Maher.

HOW:

Alternet - Smith noted that Trump did not run from any questions during the dinner.

Deadline - Trump communicated his thoughts about the dinner to reporters following the event.

(UPDATED October 17, 2026 17:57 UTC)

Stephen A. Smith shared that Trump expressed strong confidence about his upcoming campaign, stating, "I’m going to campaign. I’m going to go all over this country and help whoever I have to help and do whatever I have to do because the people love me." During their dinner, Trump claimed that "99 percent of Republicans actually approve of me," and he surprised Smith by dedicating over four hours to their conversation, during which he also took them on a tour of the White House. Smith noted that Trump did not shy away from any questions and remained convinced he could rally voters despite acknowledging potential losses for Republicans in the midterms.

(UPDATED October 17, 2026 13:58 UTC)

Stephen A. Smith shared that Trump is feeling confident about his campaign, declaring, "I’m going to campaign. I’m going to go all over this country and help whoever I have to help and do whatever I have to do because the people love me." During their dinner conversation, Trump also claimed that "99 percent of Republicans actually approve of me," which surprised Smith, who noted that Trump spent over four hours at the dinner, saying, "It was shocking. I didn’t I certainly didn’t expect that amount of time." Additionally, Smith mentioned that Trump took them on a tour of the White House, showcasing the West Wing, the Rose Garden, and a colonnade adorned with pictures of every president except Joe Biden.

(UPDATED October 17, 2026 10:56 UTC)

Kid Rock recently shared his thoughts on a dinner that brought together a mix of political figures, saying it featured "two Democrats, two Republicans sit down, break bread, have laughs." This gathering highlights a moment of bipartisanship, showcasing the potential for camaraderie across party lines. It seems that even in today's polarized climate, there are opportunities for dialogue and connection.

(UPDATED October 17, 2026 02:06 UTC)

A recent dinner discussion aired on Fox News covered a range of topics, including socialism and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, commonly known as HBCUs. The conversation highlighted the significance of these institutions in the educational landscape. This engaging dialogue reflects ongoing debates surrounding these important issues.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 22:04 UTC)

Trump hosted an "epic" dinner at the White House with Kid Rock, Bill Maher, and Stephen A. Smith, where he praised the intelligence of his guests. During his comments to reporters, Trump referred to Maher as someone who "likes me a lot more than people understand" and described the evening as "great" and "very informative." Kid Rock echoed this sentiment, sharing his excitement about the gathering during an appearance on "Fox & Friends."