Comedian Patton Oswalt said Bill Maher made a mistake by attempting to placate Donald Trump, arguing that such tactics always backfire.
The dispute highlights a growing divide among political commentators and entertainers regarding the most effective way to engage with the former president. Oswalt suggests that seeking common ground or showing respect to Trump is not only ineffective, but counterproductive to a public figure's standing.
Oswalt focused his criticism on Maher's approach, specifically referencing a White House dinner that Maher attended with Trump in 2022 [1]. According to Oswalt, the strategy of placating the former president is flawed because Trump does not value the respect shown to him by others.
"The minute they love him, he has zero respect for them," Oswalt said [2].
Oswalt further suggested that the psychological drivers behind Trump's behavior make flattery a dead end. He said that Trump "hates himself" [3], implying that external validation cannot create a lasting or respectful alliance.
This critique comes amid other admissions from Maher regarding his assessments of the former president. Maher said, "I was wrong about Trump's tariffs" [4].
Oswalt maintains that the result of trying to win over Trump is a loss of credibility for the person attempting the gesture. He argues that the former president turns on those who show him respect, making any attempt at diplomatic placation a tactical error.
“"The minute they love him, he has zero respect for them."”
This clash reflects a broader debate over the utility of 'bridge-building' versus 'confrontation' when dealing with populist leaders. Oswalt's argument posits that traditional diplomatic courtesy is an ineffective tool against a personality that views respect as a sign of weakness, suggesting that the only viable posture for critics is unwavering opposition.
