Bill Maher and Larry David’s Friendship Ends Amid Political Rift
NEW YORK, N.Y. — The longstanding friendship between comedians Bill Maher and Larry David has come to an abrupt end, following a public dispute fueled by Maher’s unexpected praise of former President Donald Trump. Once seen sharing laughs and camaraderie at high-profile events such as the 2016 Vanity Fair party, the two have now become estranged, with Maher openly acknowledging the fallout in recent interviews.
Earlier this year, Maher, known for his politically charged comedy on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, visited the Trump White House and spoke favorably about his experience. “Trump was gracious and measured,” Maher said on his show, attempting to explain his stance despite widespread criticism. His comments stood in stark contrast to the prevailing narrative about Trump’s divisive presidency, and they sparked immediate backlash from various quarters, including his former friend Larry David.
David, the co-creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm and the mind behind Seinfeld, responded with a biting satirical essay published in The New York Times titled “My Dinner With Adolf.” In it, David likened Maher’s encounter with Trump to a disturbing meeting with a private version of Hitler, underscoring his disapproval of Maher’s seemingly conciliatory tone. “Here I was, prepared to meet Hitler, the one I’d seen and heard — the public Hitler,” David wrote. “But this private Hitler was a completely different animal.”
Maher fired back on his show last month, dismissing the comparisons as “unhelpful and dumb” and reaffirming that Trump was “not Hitler.” He also revealed that he had invited David to appear on his show multiple times, but David declined, saying he wasn’t “smart enough about politics” to participate. “Yeah, I get that now,” Maher quipped.
The rift deepened when Maher spoke candidly to The Free Press about the state of their friendship. “Fuck yeah,” he said when asked if his public statements had cost him friendships. “Larry David certainly is not really my friend anymore.” Maher added that they no longer speak and that David has not reached out since the essay’s publication.
This public unraveling between two comedic giants highlights the increasingly polarized nature of political discourse in the United States. Maher, who has built a career on blending comedy with political commentary, has often courted controversy, but his recent alignment with Trump’s persona has alienated some longtime allies. David’s response, through satire and sharp critique, reflects a broader cultural pushback against what some see as normalization of divisive political figures.
Their estrangement also underscores how personal relationships in the entertainment industry can be deeply affected by political beliefs and public statements. As Maher suggested, his rebuttal on Real Time was a “great clapback,” but it was not enough to mend fences.
While both comedians continue to command significant audiences and influence, their split serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by public figures navigating the intersection of friendship, politics, and public opinion in a highly charged environment.
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