In a surprising and refreshingly candid moment, liberal comedian and talk show host Bill Maher publicly admitted he was wrong about Donald Trump’s economic and foreign policy strategies. During a revealing conversation on his “Club Random” podcast with progressive influencer Brian Tyler Cohen, Maher broke from the usual anti-Trump script to praise several of the former—and now current—President’s key accomplishments.
Maher, long known for his left-leaning politics and biting satire, acknowledged that the liberal media had misled him about Trump’s tariffs. He confessed that he initially believed those tariffs would “implode the economy” because that’s what so-called experts insisted. “But that didn’t happen, so let’s work from reality,” Maher said bluntly.
Rather than reflexively attacking Trump, Maher urged fellow liberals to ditch the “I just hate Donald Trump” mindset, calling it “boring” and intellectually dishonest. “The stock market is at record highs,” he pointed out. “I see people out there just living their lives… So, how do we feel with that fact? Because that’s the fact.”
Maher’s honest assessment didn’t stop there. He criticized the left’s tendency to dehumanize Trump supporters, specifically calling out Hillary Clinton’s infamous “deplorables” comment. He said the left’s refusal to engage or even break bread with Trump voters “makes me sick.” Instead, Maher praised Trump as a “people person” who connects with everyday Americans in ways most politicians can’t. “He’s real,” Maher said, explaining why Trump continues to resonate with the public.
In another stunning departure from progressive orthodoxy, Maher praised Trump’s recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. “I loved it. That was a home run,” he declared. Maher even admitted he may have been wrong to support Obama’s much-touted Iran deal, showing a willingness to reevaluate his past beliefs when confronted with new realities.
His change of heart didn’t go unnoticed. President Trump responded with a “Thanks Bill!” on Truth Social, highlighting the significance of such public recognition from someone like Maher.
This moment represents a rare instance of someone on the left openly acknowledging Trump’s effectiveness—and it’s already making waves. RedState’s Nick Arama noted that Maher’s honesty is a sharp contrast to the rest of the media class, which continues to dismiss or distort Trump’s accomplishments even as average Americans benefit from them.
Indeed, in just six months into his second term, Trump’s leadership has ushered in booming economic indicators, successful foreign policy decisions, and renewed national confidence. As Maher pointed out, the tariffs didn’t crash the economy—instead, they’ve generated billions in revenue and could help pay down the national debt.
The moment also underscores the importance of open dialogue. Maher was widely attacked by the left for having dinner with Trump, but as he put it, refusing to talk helps no one. “Good luck. See how far that gets you,” he quipped to his critics.
Bill Maher’s honesty might be rare among his peers, but it could be a sign of more to come. As Trump’s policies continue to deliver real-world results, even some of his former critics are starting to take notice—and change their tune.