Larry David recently expressed his frustration over Bill Maher’s positive remarks about Donald Trump following a private dinner between the two. In an opinion piece published in The New York Times, David criticized Maher for being open-minded and suggested that such attitudes trivialize the dangers posed by Trump, whom David likened to Adolf Hitler.
The satirical essay, titled “My Dinner With Adolf,” portrays a fictional account of Maher’s dinner with Trump. David, known for his role in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” pretends to recount Maher’s experience, where he reflects on his past criticisms of Trump and concludes that hate is unproductive. David writes that Maher seemed to find humor in their conversation, noting a moment where he joked about Trump’s tan suit, which led to laughter from the former president. This moment, according to David, made Trump appear more human, contrasting sharply with the public persona Maher had always criticized.
David’s piece takes a darker turn as he sarcastically suggests that Maher’s newfound appreciation for Trump could lead to a dangerous normalization of his behavior. He humorously ends the essay with a mock Nazi salute, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation.
Maher had previously been vocal against Trump but admitted to enjoying the dinner and feeling differently about him afterward. On his show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” he discussed the dinner, mentioning that Trump was surprisingly self-aware and that much of what he disliked about Trump was absent during their meeting. Maher noted that Trump even acknowledged losing the 2020 election, which he found shocking.
Maher’s comments sparked mixed reactions, especially among his liberal audience, some of whom felt uneasy about any positive assessment of Trump. He acknowledged this tension, stating that he would report his experience honestly, regardless of the backlash.
This exchange between David and Maher highlights the ongoing debate about how to engage with political figures who hold controversial views. While David warns against complacency, Maher’s experience suggests that dialogue can sometimes lead to unexpected insights.