Filmmaker Woody Allen praised President Donald Trump’s acting abilities during an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, describing the president as a professional and talented performer based on their collaboration in 1998.
The 89-year-old director worked with Trump on his film “Celebrity,” where the then-real estate mogul appeared in a brief cameo playing himself. Allen recalled that Trump was polite and hit his marks during filming, demonstrating what he characterized as natural showmanship abilities.
During the podcast episode released September 1, Allen emphasized that despite his praise for Trump’s acting skills, he disagreed with the president on political matters. The director revealed he voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and took issue with Trump on approximately 95 to 99 percent of policy positions.
Allen described Trump as having charismatic qualities as a performer and expressed surprise that someone with Trump’s lifestyle would choose to enter politics. The filmmaker noted that Trump previously enjoyed activities like attending New York Knicks games, playing golf, and judging beauty contests, questioning why anyone would voluntarily subject themselves to the pressures of political office.
In “Celebrity,” Trump’s scene involved discussing his fictional plans to purchase St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan and replace it with a tall office building. The cameo lasted approximately 11 seconds and featured Trump playing a version of himself consistent with his public persona at the time.
Maher jokingly warned Allen about potential criticism for complimenting Trump, referencing Allen’s previous controversies. The comedian has faced similar scrutiny after dining with Trump at the White House earlier this year and subsequently describing positive aspects of their interaction.
Allen clarified his position by stating he was not a Trump supporter and distinguished between his assessment of the president’s acting capabilities and his political views. Allen indicated that “as an actor, he was very good.”
The filmmaker expressed willingness to direct Trump again in his current role as president, suggesting he could achieve impressive results. This comment was made in jest, with Maher responding that he would attempt to facilitate such an arrangement.
Trump acknowledged Allen’s comments by sharing an article about the podcast appearance on his Truth Social platform, demonstrating appreciation for the positive assessment from the Hollywood director.
Maher agreed with Allen’s characterization of Trump as different in private settings compared to his public political persona. The comedian described politics as the ultimate acting profession, suggesting that all politicians adopt certain public facades while maintaining different private personalities.
Allen reiterated that he found Trump professional and courteous to everyone on set during the 1998 filming. He emphasized that his evaluation was based solely on their working relationship and Trump’s performance as an actor, separate from any political considerations.
The conversation also touched on Allen’s career challenges in recent years. Maher suggested Allen had been affected by cancel culture and the #MeToo movement, though Allen noted that criticism came from various sources rather than exclusively from liberal audiences.
Allen acknowledged that his career timing worked in his favor, as major controversies emerged after he had established his filmmaking reputation. He indicated that facing such scrutiny earlier in his career would have been more damaging professionally.
The director has faced renewed attention regarding his past, including sexual misconduct allegations from his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, which he has consistently denied. Allen referenced two investigations that he said found no evidence supporting the allegations.
The podcast appearance represents one of Allen’s rare recent public interviews, as he has maintained a relatively low profile while continuing to work on film projects in Europe. His comments about Trump generated significant media coverage and social media discussion about the intersection of entertainment and politics.