Maher and Kid Rock Clash on White House Night
The comedian defended his sobriety during a recent interview, but the singer challenged his memory and claimed he appeared high.
By Jack Weber ·
Bill Maher and Kid Rock engaged in a public dispute over the details of a recent White House dinner, with the singer challenging the comedian's account of his own behavior. The conflict emerged during an episode of Maher's HBO show, Real Time, where he addressed President Donald Trump's social media criticism. Trump had previously accused Maher of being intoxicated and insecure during the event.
The president's complaints originated in a Truth Social post dated Oct. 25. In that message, Trump described Maher as a "SLEAZEBAG" and a "pothead." The post alleged that the comedian was "very nervous" and asked for a drink, which led to him wandering the White House with alcohol in his hand. Trump also suggested Maher was against the war in Iran, a claim Maher contested on his show by playing video clips that showed his support for the intervention.
Maher attempted to clear his name by stating he was not drunk, though he conceded he was not "noticeably drunk." Kid Rock, who attended the dinner alongside Maher and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, interjected to dispute this characterization. According to reports from Mediaite, Ritchie told Maher, "You were pretty high! Were you not pretty high?" Maher responded by saying they had a good time, a statement with which Rock agreed.
The two men also debated the duration of the gathering. Maher insisted the event lasted four hours, a point he raised to counter Trump's claim that it was only two. When Maher asked Rock to confirm the four-hour timeframe, the singer admitted he had to leave early but affirmed the duration. Maher questioned the purpose of Trump's shorter timeline, prompting Rock to ask if the president was referring to the dinner specifically or the entire evening.
Maher ultimately dismissed the discrepancy, asking why no one could take a joke. The exchange occurred after Maher complained that Trump's post mischaracterized his stance on the Iran conflict. The singer suggested the president was too busy to verify facts, to which Maher replied that he did not think Trump was fact checking.
The dinner took place last month and included prominent figures from entertainment and sports. The subsequent online banter highlights the friction between the administration and media figures who attended the state event. Trump's post served as the catalyst for the discussion, leading to a detailed breakdown of the night's events by the participants themselves.
