HBO’s Bill Maher defended Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Real Time Friday night, pushing back against liberal criticism over her recent meetings with US President Donald Trump , including a viral moment that left her facing heat from both sides.
Appearing on his weekly panel with journalist Kara Swisher and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , Maher brought up Whitmer’s photo-op with Trump, saying, “I was trying to help her the other week, just own it, like a certain talk show host did when you meet the president,” nodding at his own meeting with Trump in March.
Whitmer has come under fire from Democrats for meeting Trump twice in recent weeks. On April 9, she visited him in the Oval Office to discuss federal assistance for Michigan, but a photo of her covering her face as press cameras flashed went viral, drawing swift backlash. Progressives accused her of giving legitimacy to a man she had frequently clashed with, especially during the pandemic. Conservatives also piled on, calling the gesture insecure.
Just days later, Whitmer appeared alongside Trump again at a Michigan US Air Force Base event, where Trump praised her leadership, calling her a “very good person” and crediting her with doing an “excellent job” — a surprising reversal from his previous attacks.
Maher argued that Trump was baiting her. “This week – Trump f------ punked her twice – called her up, he was in Michigan… Governors need the president’s help on certain things, you know?” he said. “And he calls her up, which she didn’t expect, and then they got a picture of her hugging him or smiling with him… and now she’s history’s greatest monster.”
His advice? Stop dodging it. “When you meet the president, just – it’s okay. He’s the president,” Maher said.
McCarthy agreed, saying, “That should not be wrong. Our country should not have a problem with people of two different parties, the election’s over, sitting down, working on issues, especially a president and governor.”
The message from Maher was blunt: being photographed with Trump isn’t betrayal, it’s politics. And for Whitmer, the best strategy might be to stop flinching and start owning it.
Appearing on his weekly panel with journalist Kara Swisher and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , Maher brought up Whitmer’s photo-op with Trump, saying, “I was trying to help her the other week, just own it, like a certain talk show host did when you meet the president,” nodding at his own meeting with Trump in March.
Whitmer has come under fire from Democrats for meeting Trump twice in recent weeks. On April 9, she visited him in the Oval Office to discuss federal assistance for Michigan, but a photo of her covering her face as press cameras flashed went viral, drawing swift backlash. Progressives accused her of giving legitimacy to a man she had frequently clashed with, especially during the pandemic. Conservatives also piled on, calling the gesture insecure.
Bill Maher's panel discusses Gretchen Whitmer 'getting punked' by Trump:
— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) May 3, 2025
Kara Swisher: "You have Gretchen Whitmer."
Bill Maher: "C'mon man. She got into big trouble and hid in the Oval Office. This week, Trump fucking punked her twice.
Called her up, she was in Michigan.… pic.twitter.com/BSr9VL5r1F
Just days later, Whitmer appeared alongside Trump again at a Michigan US Air Force Base event, where Trump praised her leadership, calling her a “very good person” and crediting her with doing an “excellent job” — a surprising reversal from his previous attacks.
Maher argued that Trump was baiting her. “This week – Trump f------ punked her twice – called her up, he was in Michigan… Governors need the president’s help on certain things, you know?” he said. “And he calls her up, which she didn’t expect, and then they got a picture of her hugging him or smiling with him… and now she’s history’s greatest monster.”
His advice? Stop dodging it. “When you meet the president, just – it’s okay. He’s the president,” Maher said.
McCarthy agreed, saying, “That should not be wrong. Our country should not have a problem with people of two different parties, the election’s over, sitting down, working on issues, especially a president and governor.”
The message from Maher was blunt: being photographed with Trump isn’t betrayal, it’s politics. And for Whitmer, the best strategy might be to stop flinching and start owning it.
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