Bill Maher Finds Common Ground With Donald Trump: ‘Kernel of a Good Idea’

Comedian Bill Maher touted some common ground with President Donald Trump during his Friday evening TV show, saying the White House’s targeting of Harvard University is a “kernel of a good idea.”

Maher described the elite Ivy League institution as an “a**hole factory,” and said he’d long been critical of the university.

Newsweek has reached out to Harvard and the White House via email for comment on Saturday morning.

Why It Matters

Maher has been a consistent Trump critic, routinely mocking the president for years on his HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher. At the same time, while the comedian continues to identify as a Democrat, he often criticizes the “woke” views of many in his political party.

He also regularly invites Republicans on his show, and in late March had dinner with Trump at the White House. After the meeting, Maher spoke favorably of the president’s personal interactions with him, sparking criticism from many liberal critics.

Trump’s recent actions against Harvard have drawn backlash from Democrats and other critics. However, Maher has suggested some agreement with the president on the issue.

What to Know

During his Friday evening show, Maher hosted CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Representative Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat, on his panel. During the discussion, the comedian brought up the Trump administration’s actions against Harvard.

“The Harvard situation. Trump has declared full scale war on Harvard. And like so many things he does, there’s a kernel of a good idea there. I mean, I’ve been s****ing on Harvard long before he was,” Maher said.

Tapper jumped in, quipping, “Well, you went to Cornell [University], so I mean….”

“That’s not why,” Maher responded, with the exchange drawing laughter from the audience and the comedian. “No, it’s because Harvard is an a**hole factory in a lot of ways, that produces smirking f*** faces.”

He then asked Moulton, “Are you from Harvard?” To which Tapper pointed out that the Democratic congressman has “three degrees from Harvard.”

“Present company accepted,” Maher quickly added.

How Trump Is Going After Harvard

The dispute between Trump and Harvard University began earlier this year when his administration accused Harvard of failing to adequately address antisemitism on its campus, citing “pro-terrorist conduct” at protests.

The administration responded by freezing more than $2 billion in federal research grants to Harvard in April and has since attempted to terminate the university’s ability to enroll international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

The State Department is now also investigating the B-1 (business visas) and B-2 (tourist visas) associated with Harvard University, according to Fox News.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made moves to eliminate Harvard’s student visa program, saying the university had refused to comply with a request to provide behavioral records of student visa holders.

Trump, meanwhile, has demanded the names and countries of origin of all international students, saying that federal support entitled the government to such information. He wrote on Truth Social last Sunday: “We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.”

Harvard insists it has complied with government requests, “despite the unprecedented nature and scope of the demand.”

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs stepped in and issued a preliminary injunction, which stopped the Trump administration from revoking the school’s SEVP certification without first following the legally mandated procedures.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump to reporters on Wednesday: “Harvard’s got to behave themselves. Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect. And all they’re doing is getting in deeper and deeper and deeper…They’ve got to behave themselves, you know. I’m looking…out for the country…and for Harvard. I want Harvard to do well. I want Harvard to be great again, probably, because how could it be great? How could it great.”

Harvard President Alan M. Garber in a statement after a court win this week: “This is a critical step to protect the rights and opportunities of our international students and scholars, who are vital to the University’s mission and community. Many among us are likely to have additional concerns and questions. Important updates and guidance will continue to be provided by the Harvard International Office as they become available.”

Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: “Harvard’s attitude is, ‘We can do what we want, and we have a constitutional right to your money.’ I think they’re wrong, and I think they’re going to find out how wrong they are.”

Fox News contributor Jessica Tarlov, a Democrat, wrote on X on Thursday in response to attacks on Harvard: “When you deport young people and cancel the visas of their friends, you become public enemy number one very quickly.”

Representative Seth Moulton wrote on X on Wednesday: “Trump’s sad obsession with schools he doesn’t like continues. These policies will mean that we are less competitive, less credible, and less innovative in the future. Nobody wins.”

What Happens Next?

The Trump administration’s actions targeting Harvard continue to be litigated in the courts.