Musician Kid Rock said he recently joined President Donald Trump, comedian Bill Maher and ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith for dinner at the White House, telling Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” on Friday that the group found common ground on at least one issue despite their political differences.
“Last night, I’m having dinner at the White House with the president, Bill Maher and Stephen A. Smith. We all agreed socialism and communism has no place to have a foothold in our government,” Kid Rock said. He made the comment while discussing the Michigan Senate race and Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, adding, “This guy is screaming socialism.”
Asked to characterize the dinner, Kid Rock called it “epic” and said the mix of political perspectives made for a productive evening.
“It was epic. And the thing that was the greatest, there’s so many points, I could do an hour on it, is that, you know, two Democrats, two Republicans sit down, break bread, have laughs, talk about, have tough conversations on a lot of the issues,” he said.
According to Kid Rock, the conversation ranged widely. Topics included socialism and communism, the war in Iran, and a push from Maher to secure visas for Afghan interpreters who assisted the U.S. military. Smith, he said, focused on unemployment among Black women and the funding of historically Black colleges and universities.
“Stephen A. Smith was very much engaged in talking about unemployment with Black women and the funding of HBCUs, which we reminded him that President Trump did fund $174 million to historically Black universities and colleges in 2016 [sic], which was great,” Kid Rock said.
Kid Rock recounted that Smith raised concerns that Trump’s rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion programs may have discouraged corporate donations to HBCUs. Kid Rock said he pushed back on that characterization during the dinner.
“I want to make the point. I’ll go out on a limb and say I’m speaking for President Trump and the administration saying, no, no, not only do we support, we want to encourage corporations to continue funding HBCUs and donating to them. We know how important education is, especially in the Black community, to strengthen Black families,” he said.
A Repeat Guest at the White House
This was not the first time Maher and Kid Rock have dined with Trump at the White House; the three met for a similar dinner in 2025. Maher recently told Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel on his “Club Random” podcast that another dinner with the president is already on the calendar.
“I’m having dinner with him again next week,” Maher said, recalling that Trump reached out unprompted after their first meeting. “After the first dinner, I went back to doing what I do. … But then, like, he just, out of the blue, ‘Let’s have dinner again.’ And I was like, ‘Great.’ And he was really nice.”
Maher said Trump jokingly promised not to criticize him again, prompting a reply from the comedian embracing the president’s unfiltered style.
“You know what, you’re the president of the United States. Say whatever the f— you want. I’m just glad we’re talking. It’s like being called a ‘hockey puck’ by Don Rickles. It’s just what he does. It’s how he talks,” Maher said.
New Music, Old Friends
In a separate appearance on “Outnumbered” the same day, Kid Rock discussed his new album, “Halfway 2 Jesus,” which features collaborations with Eminem and Lil Wayne.
“Not just me and my old friend of nearly 40 years, Eminem. Lil Wayne came on last minute,” Kid Rock said, explaining that a scheduling shift in songs opened space for Lil Wayne’s contribution. “Wayne, just being the ace he is. I mean, just, as solid as human beings come.”
Kid Rock said the album brings together collaborators of differing backgrounds and beliefs, including Gary LeVox and Jimmy Allen, around a shared message.
“We are all from different backgrounds, different religions, different political beliefs. And yet we came together to make this powerful, very beautiful piece of work that — I haven’t promoted many records in the last 10, 15 years — but very important to promote this one because I’m promoting the message of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And that’s bigger than me,” he said.
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