The parody takes the form of a fictional account of a dinner with Adolf Hitler, written in a tone that mirrors Maher’s widely discussed praise of Trump’s private demeanour.
Maher, known for his long-running programme Real Time, described Trump as “gracious and measured” during their White House dinner earlier this month. His comments sparked backlash from some members of the media, who criticised the comedian for softening his tone towards the president.
In his satire, David imagines himself dining with Hitler in 1939, reflecting on how unexpectedly “human” the dictator seemed during their fictional exchange. “Here I was, prepared to meet Hitler, the one I’d seen and heard — the public Hitler. But this private Hitler was a completely different animal,” David wrote. “Oddly enough, this one seemed more authentic.”
New York Times Deputy Opinion Editor Patrick Healy defended the decision to publish the piece, stating that it was not meant to compare Trump to Hitler directly, but rather to explore the idea that private charm does not absolve public behaviour.
Maher, who has not responded publicly to the satire, previously addressed the criticism of his Trump meeting by stating, “It doesn’t matter who he is at a private dinner. It matters who he is on the world stage.”