Bill Maher Says Trump's Response to the Midterms Was "Amazingly Humble"

On Friday's episode of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, the host said Donald Trump's response to the midterm results was "amazingly humble." Maher was talking about the so-called blue wave, a term for a strong election showing by Democrats. Deadline reported the remark.

The midterm elections were held on Tuesday. Democrats flipped seven Senate seats and 42 House seats, meaning they won seats that had been held by Republicans. That gives them control of both chambers of Congress. Trump congratulated Democrats after the results came in, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Maher went further in his monologue. He said Trump had just taken a "giant rebuke" from voters and was now "literally a lame duck," a phrase for a leader whose power is fading as the end of a term approaches.

The host also brought up a recent evening at the White House. He had dined there with Trump, Kid Rock and Stephen A. Smith. Maher joked that he "might get to go again," and he later asked the president on air, "Donnie, are you OK?"

Trump answered on his own platform. He posted a message of more than 1,300 words calling Maher a "complete and total loser." HBO's channel on YouTube has also posted a video titled "Mr. Maher Goes to Washington," in which Maher describes his meeting with the president.

Real Time follows a familiar weekly format. HBO describes it as a talk and comedy series built around an opening monologue, one-on-one interviews, panel discussions and a recurring segment called "New Rules." The show is listed as a Comedy, Variety, and Talk and Sketch program, with Maher and Sheila Griffiths, Marc Gurvitz, Dean Johnsen and Billy Martin credited as executive producers.

For viewers, the episode was a mix of election analysis and a very public back-and-forth. Maher's comments were delivered on air, and Trump's reply was posted online.