“I could direct him now.” Those words, spoken on Bill Maher’s podcast, set off an immediate wave of reaction across Hollywood and politics. The remark — calling Donald Trump “a pleasure to work with” after directing him in 1998’s Celebrity — landed on Sept. 1, 2025 and forced an awkward reckoning: a celebrated director praising a sitting president he publicly opposes. The line matters now because it blends celebrity memory, political stakes and media optics, and it spotlights how a 1998 cameo reshapes reputation and debate in 2025.
What Allen’s Quote Means Today: 4 Quick Facts To Scan Now
Need To Know:
- Woody Allen Said He Directed Trump In 1998, Praising His On‑Set Conduct.
- Allen Called Trump “a pleasure to work with” On Bill Maher’s Podcast, Sept. 1, 2025.
- Allen Also Said He Voted For Kamala Harris In 2024 And Disagrees With Trump “99%.”
- The Remark Reopened Coverage Of Trump’s 1998 Cameo In Woody Allen’s Celebrity.
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On Sept. 1, 2025 Woody Allen told Bill Maher he “directed Trump in [‘Celebrity’]” and called him “a pleasure to work with and a very good actor,” adding “I could direct him now.” That line collapsed two timelines: a 1998 film cameo and today’s presidency. The surprise comes because Allen also says he opposed Trump politically — he revealed voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 — producing a cognitive dissonance that fuels headlines and social feeds. The remark shifts attention from film trivia to how past celebrity encounters affect present credibility and cultural alliances.
The Exact Quote That Shocked People — Full Context From The Podcast
On Bill Maher’s Club Random episode, Allen recalled directing Trump and said plainly, “He was a pleasure to work with and a very good actor. He was very polite, hit his mark, did everything correctly and had a real flair for show business. I could direct him now.” That verbatim passage — comparing professional experience with political disagreement — created a sharp news hook: why praise a president you publicly oppose? The audio clip and the podcast exchange highlight both nostalgia for industry anecdotes and the current political stakes.
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How Two Opposing Camps Reacted To The Clip In 2025 — Fans Versus Critics
Critics said the comment normalizes and humanizes a controversial political figure; supporters argued Allen was simply recalling a production memory. Some commentators flagged the line as a reminder that professional respect can exist alongside political disagreement — Allen even said he disagreed with Trump on “99%” of issues. Others argued the remark was tone‑deaf given Trump’s polarizing presidency. The split shows the story’s staying power: it’s not just a celebrity anecdote, it’s a prism for larger cultural debates.
The Numbers Behind This Clash That Editors Want To See
| Metric | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Article Published | Sep 1, 2025 (date) | Immediate national pickup |
| Cameo Year | 1998 (year) | 27 Years Since Cameo |
| Allen’s Stated Disagreement | 99% (percentage) | Underscores Political Distance |
Allen’s praise resurrects a 27‑year‑old film cameo and intensifies present political scrutiny.
Who Said It And Why This 2025 Remark Carries Weight For Hollywood And Politics
The speaker is Woody Allen, who directed Donald Trump in a cameo for the 1998 film Celebrity. Allen’s combination of on‑set praise and explicit political opposition (he said he voted for Kamala Harris in 2024) matters because it complicates standard narratives: professional respect does not equal political alignment. For studios, awards voters and publicists, the episode is a reminder that old on‑set anecdotes can resurface with new consequences in a hyperpartisan moment.
What This Quote Changes For Reputation And Coverage Through 2025
The lasting effect is reputational friction: a filmmaker’s nostalgia collided with a presidency that already commands intense media scrutiny. Expect more coverage connecting old celebrity interactions to present political perceptions, and anticipate new interviews or clarifications from those involved. For audiences, the story shows how a single line — “I could direct him now” — can reopen decades of context and reshape how both film history and political biography are discussed.
Sources
- https://variety.com/2025/film/news/woody-allen-direct-donald-trump-in-movie-celebrity-1236504049/
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.