Bill Maher praises Trump’s Middle East actions, says ‘he’s the best friend Israel has ever had’

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Bill Maher has complimented President Donald Trump’s success in the Middle East, calling the president “the best friend Israel has ever had.”

The TV host made the statement while speaking with podcast host Sam Harris. He began by mentioning how Trump got the “hostages back,” referring to the release of all Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in October 2023, as part of a peace deal and ceasefire agreement negotiated by the US and other countries.

Harris first said, “Oh yeah, that was great... I actually said he deserves the Nobel [Peace] Prize for that.”

Bill Maher praises Trump's handling of Middle East

Agreeing with him, Bill Maher stated, “Yeah, right. I did too... Just a basic framework, going back to the first administration with the Abraham Accords. I mean, he has approached the Middle East differently and with better results. I’m sorry.”

The 70-year-old comedian further asserted that Trump’s “the best friend Israel has ever had.” 

“As far as just backing them and being unabashed about saying we believe in Western values and democracy, and there’s one place in the Middle East that mirrors those values, and that’s Israel,” he added.

Bill Maher rebukes Democrats' Middle East policy

Maher, however, did not stop there as he then targeted the Democrats and their Middle East policies.

“Obama and those people. That’s what I liked least about their Middle East policy was that we always have to pretend that everything’s 50/50. Well, it’s not 50/50,” he asserted.

Bill Maher stands with Trump's decision to launch a war with Iran

Maher's latest compliment came after he he support towards Trump’s decision to launch attacks in Iran.

He said, “I just don’t get what liberals don’t get about liberation,” before noting, “How about this? This was a fascist theocracy, and nothing in the Middle East was ever going to get better while they were still there [redacted] everything up.”

The US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28. Since then, numerous retaliatory strikes have continued, claiming the lives of seven US service members.

But Trump did not seem to be bothered much as he reportedly said, “Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is likely to be more. But we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”

“We grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives,” he added.