Woody Allen was recently on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, and he didn’t hold back on his thoughts about Donald Trump. While he made it clear he’s not into Trump’s politics, he had some praise for the former president’s acting chops.
Allen mentioned, “I’m one of the few people who can say he directed Trump” in a film back in 1998. That movie, called Celebrity, featured Trump playing a fictionalized version of himself. He only had a brief moment on screen, about 11 seconds, where he comically claimed to be buying St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan to replace it with a large, beautiful building.
It might not be a stretch performance, but Allen described the experience positively, stating, “he was a pleasure to work with and a very good actor,” praising Trump’s politeness and professionalism. Allen noted that Trump hit his marks correctly and had a natural flair for showbiz.
Of course, Maher was quick to point out how saying nice things about Trump can lead to backlash, emphasizing the stark contrast between Trump’s public persona and private personality. “If you think you were canceled before…” Maher started but Allen interjected to clarify his views.
Woody clarified his stance: “I’m a Democrat who voted for Kamala Harris,” going on to say he disagrees with Trump on most issues—around 95 to 99 percent—but still holds appreciation for Trump’s skills as an actor. He acknowledged that，as a performer, Trump is convincing and has a unique charisma.
Allen also pondered why Trump embraced politics. He viewed it as a realm filled with stress and difficult decisions, contrasting it to the leisure-filled life he imagined Trump to enjoy, which included sports and beauty pageants.
Maher then chimed in, suggesting that politics is the ultimate act. He humorously shared how it’s often an acting job with participants putting on different faces, noting Trump just takes it up a notch.
Allen agreed, mentioning that all politicians put on a bit of a show for the public. He stood firm on his view that he can only judge Trump based on their interactions during filming, noting how pleasant and professional Trump was on set. Allen also hinted at a fun idea: directing Trump now that he’s president, but understood that it was purely wishful thinking.
To lighten the mood, Maher joked, “I’ll make a call.”
Check out the full interview below.
