Bill Maher Comments on Trump Assassination Attempt
HBO host Bill Maher criticized Americans who wished President Trump had died in the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. He linked such sentiments to inflammatory rhetoric comparing Trump to Hitler. Separately, Trump attacked Maher for a soft interview with California's governor.
dailycaller.comHBO host Bill Maher addressed the recent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump during his Friday night show. He rebuked audience members who laughed at the idea of disappointment over Trump's survival. Maher stated that such reactions indicate a lack of goodness and intelligence.
Post by @DailyCaller on X
The shooting occurred on April 25 at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. A Secret Service officer was wounded but survived due to a ballistic vest. Federal prosecutors charged 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, a California teacher and engineer, with attempting to assassinate the president after recovering a manifesto detailing plans to target Trump administration officials.
He argued that believing such comparisons justifies attempts to kill him. >"This is why I was against this ‘He’s Hitler’ bulls—t," Maher told the audience. "If you really believe that he is a Hitler McPedophile, then you kind of have to kill him. " — Bill Maher, May 3, 2026 (Daily Caller) Maher emphasized that eliminating Trump would not end the MAGA movement.
He told viewers that the movement would persist regardless. Examples illustrated Maher's point about widespread disappointment. An Ohio pre-K teacher, Corrine Baum, lost her job at BrightPath after a TikTok video appeared to lament Trump's survival.
A Wisconsin social studies teacher, Patrick Meyer, was placed on administrative leave after posting on X to mock the failed attempt by referencing historical assassins like John Wilkes Booth.
Separately, President Trump criticized Maher for his handling of an interview with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Trump posted on Truth Social that Maher was weak and ineffective in challenging Newsom's claims about California's performance. Trump described Newsom as low IQ and incompetent.
He claimed Maher failed to counter Newsom's positive portrayal of the state, which Trump said was experiencing its worst year with more people leaving than arriving. '" — President Donald Trump, May 4, 2026 (New York Post) Trump referenced a past White House dinner with Maher, calling him nervous and pathetic.
The meeting occurred through musician Kid Rock after an appearance on Maher's podcast. Newsom's press office responded by posting that the interview triggered Trump's reaction. Maher has shifted toward more centrist views in recent years, expressing skepticism about California's management, including high taxes and regulations.
During the interview, Maher questioned Newsom on issues like gas prices, rents, and the state's train project. However, Trump argued Maher did not sufficiently challenge Newsom's responses.
Maher's comments came amid ongoing discussions about political rhetoric and violence. The assassination attempt highlighted tensions surrounding Trump's presidency. Trump and Maher have a history, including a past lawsuit where Trump sued Maher over a joke about his parentage. Their relationship has included both conflict and direct interactions, such as the White House dinner.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- May 4, 2026
President Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing Bill Maher's interview with Gavin Newsom.
1 sourceNew York Post - May 3, 2026
Bill Maher condemned those disappointed by the failed assassination attempt on Trump during his HBO show.
2 sourcesDaily Caller · @DailyCaller - April 25, 2026
Shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, wounding a Secret Service officer.
2 sourcesDaily Caller · @DailyCaller - Post-April 25, 2026
Federal prosecutors charged Cole Tomas Allen with attempting to assassinate the president.
2 sourcesDaily Caller · @DailyCaller - Post-April 25, 2026
Ohio teacher Corrine Baum lost her job after a TikTok video lamenting Trump's survival.
2 sourcesDaily Caller · @DailyCaller - Post-April 25, 2026
Wisconsin teacher Patrick Meyer was placed on administrative leave after mocking the attempt on X.
2 sourcesDaily Caller · @DailyCaller
Potential Impact
- 01
Broader media coverage of assassination attempt's aftermath grows.
- 02
Public discourse on political rhetoric intensifies following Maher's comments.
- 03
Increased scrutiny on educators' social media posts related to political violence.
- 04
Potential for more job actions against those expressing violent sentiments.
- 05
Trump's post escalates his ongoing feud with Maher.
- 06
Newsom's office uses the incident to highlight Trump's reactions.
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