Cross-Party White House Dinner: Trump, Kid Rock, Maher, and Smith Find Common Ground on Anti-Socialism

Key points

• Trump hosted a second White House dinner with Bill Maher, Kid Rock, and Stephen A. Smith on Thursday.
• The group agreed that socialism and communism have no place in US government.
• Trump claimed the guests secretly like him despite public criticisms and previous feuds.
• Kid Rock described the dinner as 'epic' and highlighted cross-party dialogue.
• The group toured the White House ballroom under construction.

Background

This is the second White House dinner between Trump and Maher, following a previous meeting in 2025. Trump had previously criticized Maher on Truth Social in February 2026, calling him a 'jerk' and a 'waste of time.' Maher was later awarded the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize in June 2026, which Trump did not attend but some administration members did.

How outlets are covering it

Kid Rock emphasized the bipartisan nature of the dinner, stating that two Democrats and two Republicans had a 'great conversation' and agreed on anti-socialism. Trump, per Deadline, claimed the guests 'secretly like him' despite their public personas. Smith, per our archive, defended the dinner as necessary for HBCU advocacy and direct dialogue, despite critics questioning his political consistency. Maher, per the New York Post, said he was glad to be talking to Trump and joked about Trump's insults, comparing it to being called a 'hockey puck' by Don Rickles.

Why it matters

The dinner signals a shift in Trump's relationship with public critics, particularly Maher, following previous public clashes. It also highlights cross-party dialogue on issues like HBCU funding and anti-socialism, which are contentious in current political discourse.

What to watch

Maher plans to meet with Trump again next week, per the New York Post. Kid Rock is promoting his new album, 'Halfway 2 Jesus,' which includes collaborations with Eminem and Lil Wayne.