President Trump played host to an unusual bipartisan gathering at the White House this week, welcoming ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, comedian Bill Maher, and country musician Kid Rock for a dinner that stretched past four hours. Smith, who described the evening as “shocking” in an interview with CNN’s Laura Coates, said the president did not shy away from tough questions.
“I give him all the credit in the world because he didn’t run from any questions,” Smith said. “Anything we asked him, he kept coming back at us with the things that he had to say.”
Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Richie, told Fox News’s “Fox & Friends” that he had dined with Trump and Maher once before, but offered no explanation for why the trio—with their stark political differences—were invited together to the Oval Office. Smith, an independent political commentator, said he accepted the invitation to press the president on funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), but the conversation quickly expanded to include the midterms and the economy.
Kid Rock echoed that description, noting that despite disagreements, all present agreed that “socialism and communism have no place to have a foothold in our government.” The president and his party are facing significant headwinds heading into the midterms, with voters expressing disapproval on several fronts, including the economy—a key issue of Trump’s 2024 campaign. Smith said he challenged Trump on economic concerns, and the president insisted conditions would improve.
“As it pertains to the economy, no, he says what he always says, and he firmly believes in himself,” Smith said. “Obviously everything gets better. That’s his mentality.”
Smith also said he told Trump that polls show his approval ratings are low, but the president maintained that Republicans view him favorably. The conversation turned to the Texas Senate race, where Trump’s chosen candidate, Attorney General Ken Paxton, won the Republican primary but now trails his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, in several polls. Smith criticized Paxton for refusing to debate Talarico, calling it “a damn shame” and “a disgrace.” Trump reportedly conceded that Smith had “a good point” on the debate issue.
Smith said he appreciated the rare face-to-face meeting with Trump, noting it was the first time they had spoken in over a decade and a half, despite knowing each other for years. “I saw it as an opportunity to make my case,” Smith said. Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House on Friday, described the dinner as “great” and “very informative,” adding, “Stephen A. is great. Bill Maher—I will tell you what. He likes me a lot more than people understand, and I actually like him. It was a good dinner.”
The meeting comes as Trump continues to navigate a contentious political landscape, including ongoing campaign stops in key states and races where GOP hopes hinge on candidates. The president’s willingness to engage with critics like Maher and Smith may signal an attempt to broaden his appeal ahead of the midterms, even as his administration faces scrutiny over sanctions policy and other contentious issues.
