WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump hosted an eclectic gathering at the White House on Thursday evening, sitting down for a dinner that lasted more than four hours with comedian Bill Maher, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith and musician Kid Rock.
Speaking to journalists while leaving the White House on Friday, Trump praised the evening as an informative and enjoyable meeting, according to C-SPAN coverage cited by Fox News. Trump remarked that he and the guests discussed a broad range of topics and even walked through an executive mansion ballroom currently undergoing construction work with newly placed overhead beams.
“The dinner last night with Kid Rock and Stephen A. [Smith] and Bill Maher was great,” Trump told reporters, adding that Maher “likes me a lot more than people understand.”
Policy Debates and HBCU Funding
During a Friday appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Kid Rock described the gathering as an “epic” sit-down where two Republicans and two Democrats exchanged laughs while navigating difficult subjects, the New York Post reported. Kid Rock stated that the table found common ground in opposing socialism and communism, but also engaged in sharp discussions on ongoing global conflicts, including Iran and the evacuation of wartime Afghan interpreters.
Kid Rock also recounted that Smith pushed the administration on domestic economic concerns, focusing on jobless rates among Black women and financial resources for historically Black colleges and universities. According to Kid Rock, Smith argued that administration attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives risked discouraging private corporations from donating to HBCUs.
Kid Rock stated that he assured Smith the administration wants to encourage corporate contributions to such institutions. The musician noted that during the dinner, the president was reminded of past federal allocations that directed $174 million to HBCUs, the New York Post reported.
Smith Defends Attendance Amid Criticism
Smith addressed his decision to attend the meal on his “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.” podcast, pushing back against critics who questioned his appearance alongside Trump and Kid Rock, The Comeback reported. Former ESPN colleague Jemele Hill criticized the dinner on social media, writing that Trump had no true interest in helping Black Americans and merely used the gathering to generate celebrity headlines.
Smith countered that his primary objective was fighting for resources for Black institutions. “Anytime I see HBCUs in trouble, I’m going to do what I can to help,” Smith said on his podcast, adding that an invitation to speak directly with the president was an opportunity he would not turn down.
Addressing past controversies surrounding Kid Rock, including the singer’s past displays of the Confederate flag at concerts, Smith stated that while he was aware of unflattering reports regarding the musician, it would not have deterred him from pursuing his mission on behalf of his community. Comparing Trump’s communication style to veteran boxing promoter Don King, Smith remarked that the president appeared to have a ready answer for every question raised during the four-hour conversation.
A Shifting Relationship with Maher
The Thursday session marked the second White House meal between Trump and Maher, who previously attended a dinner in the spring of 2025 alongside Kid Rock and UFC executive Dana White, Fox News reported. While the two figures have traded public insults across television broadcasts and social media platforms over the past year, Maher recently revealed on his “Club Random” podcast that Trump had extended an unexpected invitation to reconnect.
Maher has not yet publicly addressed the latest dinner, as his HBO program was on a scheduled hiatus on Friday, Yahoo reported. Smith revealed on his podcast that Trump has already invited both him and Maher to return to the White House for future discussions.
