Comedian Patton Oswalt Criticizes Bill Maher’s Approach to Trump

Patton Oswalt, a comedian, recently criticized Bill Maher, host of “Real Time,” for what he sees as Maher’s efforts to appease President Donald Trump. Oswalt believes Maher is misguided in thinking he could find common ground with Trump without eventually being targeted.

Oswalt shared his views with SiriusXM host Dean Obeidallah. He contrasted Maher’s approach with more explicitly anti-Trump hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. “Colbert and Kimmel… Trump hates them,” Oswalt said. “He hates them because they don’t show him love. The moment they show affection, he loses respect because, deep down, he hates himself.”

Oswalt emphasized the importance of maintaining a firm stance against Trump. “Stick with your beliefs and accept that some actions are not commendable,” he advised. “Anyone doing business with Trump typically faces negative outcomes.”

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Oswalt’s comments likely reference an incident from February. Trump criticized Maher on Truth Social after Maher continued to express anti-Trump sentiments despite a previous dinner together at the White House. Trump was especially upset by Maher mocking him for suggesting China’s economic ties with Canada might impact hockey in Canada.

During a Commencement at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Trump called his dinner with Maher a “waste [of] time,” accusing Maher of being nervous and later criticizing Maher’s show and ratings. “He was very mad because I didn’t get his joke about China and Canada,” Maher replied.

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Maher also defended himself against other negative remarks from Trump. “[Trump] lashed out at me,” Maher said, “but I never ended my criticism of him or claimed I would.”

Fox News Digital attempted to contact Maher’s “Real Time” for a response but did not immediately receive an answer. Meanwhile, discussions between Maher, Kimmel, and Colbert regarding their differing approaches to political commentary continue.

Taylor Penley is an associate editor with Fox News.