Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during National Design Studio's launch event for America.gov, a new AI-powered government website, at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., US, September 29, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
A Hollywood publication delivered a scathing verdict on late-night host Bill Maher's latest sit-down with a former Trump White House insider.
Variety's chief correspondent Marlow Stern tore into the HBO host's "Real Time" interview with Karoline Leavitt, Trump's former White House press secretary, accusing Maher of delivering a "litany of compliments" about the president while barely challenging his guest.
Stern didn't treat the booking as a one-off. He framed it as the latest sign of Maher's warming relationship with Trumpworld, pointing to the comedian's recent four-hour dinner at the White House alongside Kid Rock and Stephen A. Smith. Trump later suggested to reporters that Maher's on-air criticism is mostly for show.
Leavitt leaned into the dynamic on air, passing along a message from the president that Maher "loved that dinner and he knows it." Maher readily agreed.
Stern also highlighted what he cast as a striking reversal. Maher had previously mocked Leavitt on his show after she defended Trump for snapping "Quiet, piggy" at a reporter who asked about Jeffrey Epstein. This time, according to Stern, Maher "treated her with kid gloves."
The critique leaned heavily on the questions Maher didn't ask. Leavitt revealed she would join Fox News as a commentator next month, but Stern noted Maher let the move from the White House podium to the cable network pass without comment. She also promoted Trump's war with Iran without any follow-up from the host.
When Leavitt branded Trump's predecessor "a mental patient," Maher didn't object. Instead, he responded that Trump is "far more energetic." Maher also poked fun at Leavitt's successor, Katie Zacharia, who lasted five days in the job.
Stern closed with a blunt assessment, arguing the episode served as fresh proof that Maher "isn't a journalist and refuses to challenge the conservative guests on his show." In Stern's telling, Maher appeared more interested in hosting them than holding them accountable. "He's just happy for them to be there," Stern wrote.
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