Donald Trump and Bill Maher are back to trading insults just days after having a friendly dinner together, and it's mostly a messy political sideshow.

• Trump and Maher had a second private dinner, this time with Kid Rock and Stephen A. Smith, and Trump called it a great time.
• Days later Trump posted a long, angry rant calling Maher a "loser" with a low-rated show, apparently set off after Maher criticized a Trump-aligned political ad and called Trump "half-sane."
• The flare-up highlights Trump's habit of praising people when they flatter him and attacking them the moment they don't.
• Maher has mixed politics — he's drawn criticism for his views on Israel and Muslims but does criticize Trump on other issues, showing some willingness to call out both sides.

Outlook: Expect this cycle of dinners followed by public feuding to keep repeating between the two.