HBO host Bill Maher has thrown his support behind Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, after she faced backlash from liberals for meeting with President Donald Trump not once, but twice. Maher advised Whitmer to “own” the meetings, just like he did when he met with Trump earlier this year. “When you meet the president, just – it’s okay. He’s the president,” Maher said during his “Real Time” panel discussion.
The controversy surrounding Whitmer’s meetings with Trump began when a photo of her hiding her face from the press went viral, prompting criticism from both sides of the aisle. However, Maher believes that Whitmer’s efforts to work with Trump on issues affecting her state are justified and necessary. “Governors need the president’s help on certain things, you know?” he said, adding that Trump’s actions seemed designed to get Whitmer in trouble with the left.
Maher’s defense of Whitmer comes as no surprise, given his history of speaking his mind and challenging the status quo. Former Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, who was also on the panel, agreed with Maher, stating that working across party lines is essential, especially between a president and governor. “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,” McCarthy said.
The debate over Whitmer’s meetings with Trump highlights the complexities of politics and the challenges of working across party lines. While some critics argue that Whitmer’s actions were a betrayal of her party’s values, others see it as a pragmatic approach to governance. As Maher noted, “She’s history’s greatest monster” – a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the left’s reaction to her meetings with Trump.
In the end, Maher’s defense of Whitmer serves as a reminder that politics is about finding common ground and working towards solutions, rather than simply toeing the party line. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Whitmer and other politicians navigate the complexities of bipartisan cooperation.
