In a surprising moment of agreement, comedian and political commentator Bill Maher voiced support for President Donald Trump’s criticism of Harvard University during the latest episode of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO.

“Trump has declared full-scale war on Harvard, and like so many things he does, there’s a kernel of a good idea there,” Maher said during Friday’s show. “I’ve been criticizing Harvard long before he was.”

A graduate of fellow Ivy League school Cornell University, Maher clarified that his views weren’t driven by school rivalry. Reacting to CNN’s Jake Tapper, who mentioned the long-standing Cornell-Harvard tension, Maher doubled down:

“It’s because Harvard is, in many ways, an a–hole factory that produces smirking, arrogant elites,” he said.

Tapper, referencing fellow guest and Harvard alumnus Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA), added jokingly:

“He has three degrees from Harvard… that makes him a f–k face times three.”

The remarks followed renewed scrutiny of Harvard amid Trump’s recent efforts to withhold federal funding, revoke the university’s tax-exempt status, and limit international student admissions, citing the school’s alleged failure to adequately respond to rising antisemitism on campus. Trump has framed these actions as a push to prioritize American students and enforce accountability.

Though often a vocal critic of Trump, Maher has recently expressed openness to dialogue. He revealed that he once had dinner with the former president, along with UFC President Dana White and musician Kid Rock.

“The guy I met is not the same person who, the night before, posted nasty tweets about how terrible it was that I’d even consider having dinner with him,” Maher noted.

Meanwhile, a federal judge recently blocked a Trump-era attempt to revoke visas from international students at Harvard, adding further complexity to the ongoing tensions between the elite institution and the former president.