Woody Allen, appearing on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, explained that although he does not share the political views of President Donald Trump, he wished to compliment him in an unexpected field: his acting abilities.

“I am one of the few people who can say they directed Donald Trump,” Allen said, recalling Trump’s brief appearance in his 1998 film Celebrity. In the 11-second cameo, Trump played himself. “It was a pleasure working with him, and he is a very good actor,” Allen added. “He was polite, direct, did everything correctly, and demonstrated a real instinct for show business.”

Allen noted his own political stance: “You know, I am a Democrat and I voted for Kamala Harris,” he told Maher, who teased him about sounding like a supporter of Trump. “In most things I oppose him—95 percent of them, maybe even 99. But as an actor, he was very good. Very convincing, and he has a charismatic quality on screen.”

The filmmaker admitted he was surprised Trump entered politics at all. “Politics is nothing but headaches, critical decisions, and torment. And this was a man I saw at Knicks games, enjoying golf, judging beauty contests, doing things that are fun and relaxing. Why anyone would suddenly want to take on all the problems of politics is something I can’t understand. But apparently it doesn’t bother him.”

Maher responded that politics could be seen as “the ultimate acting role.” Allen agreed: “That’s the whole point—it’s all about performance. People were angry when I said that, but it is essentially acting. Everyone does it to some degree, but he took it—as with everything he does—to the furthest extreme. Being president is the ultimate acting role.”

Allen concluded by stressing that his impression of Trump came from their time together on set. “I don’t agree with almost any of his views or policies, but I can only judge from directing him in a film. And he was a pleasure to work with—very professional, polite to everyone. I would be happy to direct him again now as president, if I were in the position to make those decisions. But that will not happen.”