Figures of disparate views met for an “epic” dinner at the White House and agreed on one critical point bound to upset leftist politicians — especially in a battleground state.
For the second time of President Donald Trump’s second administration, the businessman behind “The Art of the Deal” welcomed comedian Bill Maher and rocker Robert “Kid Rock” Ritchie for dinner at the White House. This time, with commentator Stephen A. Smith as a fourth, the group “wholeheartedly” united against socialism and communism in the American government.
Joining Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” the morning after the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue gathering, Ritchie described the latest dinner with his friend, the president, as “epic,” while the Michigan native drew particular attention to the Senate race in his home state.
“One thing we all wholeheartedly agreed on is that socialism and communism has no place to have a foothold in our government,” said the rocker who divulged how the conversation touched on matters like the war in Iran, HBCU funding and the job market.
Where it concerned the race pitting former congressman Mike Rogers (R) against Abdul El-Sayed (D), Ritchie described the latter as “screaming socialism.”
🚨 WOW: Kid Rock just had dinner at the White House with President Trump, Bill Maher, and Stephen A. Smith.
Kid Rock: “We all agreed socialism and communism has no place to have a foothold in our government.”
He said it was two Democrats and two Republicans breaking bread while they worked through tough issues, from Iran to HBCU funding. Kid Rock pointed out that President Trump funded $174 million for historically Black colleges and universities.
That’s what America is supposed to look like. You can disagree and still sit at the same table. The one thing they all agreed on is that socialism has to go. El-Sayed is screaming socialism, and Michigan should be listening.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) October 16, 2026
Speaking for himself while leaving the White House for a rally in Georgia, the president described the dinner as “great” while complimenting Maher and Smith, who are known to publicly disagree with him on issues.
“I think they had a good time,” Trump told the press before adding. “We talked about everything. It lasted a long time. And, you know, even though they have to sort of put on a certain little facade for their people, they like Trump, and I actually like them. We had a great time. We even took a little tour of the ballroom.”
“We went inside the ballroom with beams that are being put up over our heads. But it was a great dinner. It was very informative,” he continued. “Smart people. Stephen A. is great. Bill Maher, I tell you what, he likes me a lot more than people understand. And I actually like him.”
NEW: President Trump said he had a GREAT dinner with Kid Rock, Stephen A. Smith, and Bill Maher last night and even gave them a PERSONAL tour around the White House ballroom construction. “They like Trump, and I actually like them… Very important and smart people.”
“Dinner last night with Kid Rock, Stephen A. and Bill Maher was great. I think they had a good time.”
“We talked about everything. It lasted a long time. And, you know, even though they have to sort of put on a certain little facade for their people, they like Trump, and I actually like them. We had a great time. We even took a little tour of the ballroom. We went inside. We were very excited about the ballroom with teams that are being put up over our heads. But it was a great dinner. Very important and smart people. Stephen A is great. Bill Maher, I tell you what, he likes them a lot more than people at this time. And I actually like them.”
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) October 16, 2026
Appearing on Fox News’ “Outnumbered” as well on Friday, Ritchie also touched on the lively atmosphere of the gathering while a picture was shared of the trio waiting to enter the Oval Office.
After marking his own request for a beer, he said, “So Bill’s like, ‘I get cocktails.’ Yes, there was drinking involved. First of all, I had to leave early at 11 p.m. We had dinner, we were hanging out in the office.”
“I’m on like beer seven, and I’m having a blast. Trust me, this is probably, this is the first time I’ve ever left a party early,” added the entertainer before co-host Kayleigh McEnany, who served as White House press secretary during Trump’s first administration, made sure to clarify that the president does not imbibe alcohol.
JUST IN: A photo has been released of Kid Rock, Bill Maher, and Stephen A. Smith waiting outside the Oval Office of the White House before having dinner with President Trump.
Kid Rock: “So Bill’s like, I got cocktails. Yes, there was drinking involved. First of all, I had to leave early at 11 p.m. We had dinner, we were hanging out in the office.”
“I’m on like beer 7 and I’m having a blast. Trust me, this is probably, this is the first time I’ve ever left a party early.”Kayleigh McEnany: “We know there was no drinking from President Trump.”
Kid Rock: “No.”
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) October 16, 2026
While Smith had more to say about the dinner on his own program, he emphasized on X how important it was to attend in the first place, expressing how it would have been “foolish” and “childish” to have avoided the opportunity to have a conversation about the issues based on any real or imagined points of contention.
A conversation needed to be HAD! https://t.co/UH4qXD8QLl
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 17, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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