The president cleaned up homelessness and crime in Washington D.C. in collaboration with Mayor Bowser.

Posted by Real Time with Bill Maher, Oct 24, 2026Checked Nov 2, 2026

Polygraph verdictMixed

Sources: 5 contradict2 support2 context
Said: 1 time·
Confidence: 60%

Real Time with Bill MaherOct 24, 2026

Sources support part of the claim: encampment clearing accelerated under Trump's pressure, and Bowser pledged to work with federal officials in an 'uneasy partnership'. But AP reporting says the crime decline predates the federal takeover, that Trump's crime framing was exaggerated or unsubstantiated, and that Bowser credits city efforts, so attributing the crime cleanup to the president is contradicted.

What was said

… Um, and I don't worry about the president. Look, he loves our country very much, and he wants to make it right, and he has said, you've heard him say this, "I will work with Democrats to do what's best." You look at what he's done in D.C. With Mayor Bowser. He's a Democrat mayor, cleaned up the homelessness, cleaned up the crime. The city is beautiful. I've lived there the past two years. Oh, for that time, maybe your governor should call, maybe your mayor here should call, and LA. And California would look a lot better if more Democrats actually want to work with the president. …

Real Time with Bill Maher · Oct 24, 2026· from the transcriptPost →

What we found

Contradicts. AP reported that Trump cited a crime emergency but referred to crime that city officials stress is already falling noticeably, and that he exaggerated or misstated public safety facts in D.C.[1][3]

Contradicts. Bowser said D.C. reached a 30-year low in violent crime, with the decline beginning before the federal takeover and attributed to the city's own efforts.[2][4][5]

Supports. Bowser's office said the E Street bridge housing and encampment clearing were accelerated by Trump's actions, and a White House official said Bowser was 'cleaning up D.C. because of President Trump'.[6][7]

Supports. Bowser pledged to work alongside federal officials Trump tasked with reducing crime, described as an 'uneasy partnership' between the city and federal government.[3]

Context. Trump ordered encampment clearing and federal law enforcement deployment in 2025, and Bowser said the president's task force was in place with the city's support.[5][8][9]