Bill Maher responded to critics who disapproved of his remarks about his White House dinner with President Donald Trump.

In an appearance on the “2 Angry Men” podcast, hosted by TMZ founder Harvey Levin and attorney Mark Geragos, Maher addressed the criticism, including a comment from Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin, who had claimed that Trump was using Maher as a “prop in a PR stunt” during the dinner.

Maher defended his decision to attend the dinner, saying, “I had the chance to talk to the president without compromising my principles, and it seems no one noticed that. I didn’t go MAGA. I spoke truth to power, which is something I shouldn’t pass up.”

He further emphasized that he shouldn’t be criticized for taking that opportunity to speak directly to Trump.

The comedian, known for being a vocal critic of Trump, later doubled down, declaring, “I’m not the villain here.”

Maher even suggested that he should be hailed as a hero for being one of the few to “get inside the inner sanctum” and express his views to Trump, someone he felt may not hear many opposing opinions.

Despite Trump’s past attacks on Maher, including a lawsuit he filed in 2013 that was eventually dropped, Maher maintained his stance as an early critic of the president’s actions, particularly his controversial policies.

In an earlier episode of “Real Time,” Maher reflected on the meeting with Trump, Kid Rock, and UFC CEO Dana White, acknowledging that while Trump was more self-aware than he appeared publicly, the meeting did not change his commitment to holding the administration accountable.