Woody Allen calls Trump ‘a pleasure to work with’, praises his acting skills on Bill Maher’s podcast

Woody Allen also said he doesn’t understand why someone like Donald Trump 'would suddenly want to deal with the issues of politics'
PUBLISHED SEP 2, 2025
Woody Allen recalled working with Donald Trump during his appearance on Bill Maher’s 'Club Random' podcast (Screengrab/Bill Maher's Club Random Podcast)
Woody Allen recalled working with Donald Trump during his appearance on Bill Maher’s 'Club Random' podcast (Screengrab/Bill Maher's Club Random Podcast)


 

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Woody Allen says he’s no supporter of Donald Trump’s politics, but he does have praise for his on-screen performance.

Appearing on Bill Maher’s 'Club Random' podcast, Allen recalled directing Trump in the 1998 film 'Celebrity' and described him as “very professional,” “polite,” and “a very good actor.”

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 15:  Director Woody Allen attends a photocall for
Woody Allen attends a photocall for 'Irrational Man' during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2015, in Cannes, France. (Ben A Pruchnie/Getty Images)

Woody Allen recalls Trump’s cameo in 'Celebrity'

Woody Allen noted that he is “one of the few people who can say he directed Trump,” referencing the 11-second appearance where Donald Trump, playing himself, joked about purchasing Manhattan’s St Patrick’s Cathedral to tear it down for a “very, very tall and beautiful building.”

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 14: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is expected to issue a proclamation on the 90th anniversary of Social Security and highlight his administration's efforts on the program. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on August 14, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

“He was a pleasure to work with and a very good actor,” the filmmaker said. “He was very polite…and hit his mark and did everything correctly and had a real flair for show business.”

Although Allen emphasized, “I’m a Democrat. I voted for Kamala Harris. And I take issue with him, you know, on 95 percent of the things. Maybe 99 percent,” he reiterated that Trump showed convincing charisma as a performer.

Trump amplified the remarks by reposting an article about the podcast on his Truth Social platform.



 

Politics vs show business for Trump

Woody Allen expressed surprise that Donald Trump ever pursued politics at all.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 25: U.S. President Donald Trump talks to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Furthering his federal takeover of the capital city’s law enforcement, Trump signed orders ending cashless bail in the District of Columbia, mandating prosecution for people who desecrate the American flag -- including by burning it -- and other orders. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump talks to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“Politics is nothing but headaches and critical decisions and agony,” he said. “This was a guy I used to see at the Knicks games, and he liked to play golf and he liked to judge beauty contests… Why anyone would want to suddenly have to deal with the issues of politics is beyond me. But apparently, he doesn’t mind.”

Maher weighed in that “politics is the ultimate acting job,” suggesting that Trump’s stage presence reflects his background in entertainment. “They got mad at me for saying this… It’s an acting job. And they all do it to a degree, but he just took it — like everything with him - to the Nth degree.”

Woody Allen would like to direct Trump as president

Woody Allen joked that he would gladly direct Donald Trump again, even in his current role. 

Woody Allen leaves his apartment in New York city April 26, 1999. The 63-year-old filmmaker was pres
Woody Allen leaves his apartment in New York City on April 26, 1999 (Diane Freed)

“I can only judge what I know from directing him in film,” Allen said. “And he was pleasant to work with, very professional, very polite to everyone. Very, you know… as I say, I would like to direct him now as president and have me make the decisions. But that’s not gonna happen.”

In response, Maher quipped, “I’ll make a call.”

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