Comedian and longtime HBO host Bill Maher delivered a sharp critique of the Democratic Party during an appearance Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week,” arguing that the party is being overtaken by its socialist wing and saying he would be willing to consider voting for Vice President JD Vance if the current political trajectory continues into the 2028 presidential election.
Speaking with ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl, Maher expressed frustration with what he described as the increasingly radical direction of the Democratic Party, saying he has watched its political identity shift over time.
“Every day I hear about a new very radical guy,” Maher said. “I feel very good about like 10 whenever years ago, I did lose fans — because I wasn’t gonna go along with some of this crazy stuff on the left too.”
Maher said his own political views have remained largely consistent, arguing that he has simply been unwilling to ignore developments within the Democratic Party.
“I didn’t change really on what I thought about the right,” Maher said. “But I can’t sit and just not notice stuff, which people seem to want to do because it’s all about my team or your team. But yeah, there’s some crazy stuff.”
The “Real Time” host also criticized Democrats over what he described as support for the “intifada,” referring to the Arabic word meaning “uprising,” which is commonly associated with Palestinian resistance against Israel’s government.
“When Democrats are cheering for the intifada, cut! I’m out,” Maher said.
He also described the Democratic Party as “cowardly,” continuing his criticism of its leadership and direction.
During the interview, Karl asked Maher whether he could envision himself voting for Vice President Vance, a conservative Republican, if he becomes the GOP’s presidential nominee in 2028.
Maher responded that his “vote is in play,” adding that the direction of today’s Democratic Party would influence his decision.
Turning to the rise of democratic socialist candidates, Maher dismissed the movement’s gains and echoed President Donald Trump’s characterization of those candidates as embracing communist ideas.
Referring to the Democratic Socialists of America, Maher said he had reviewed the organization’s platform and rejected arguments that critics were mischaracterizing its positions.
“OK, I’ve read the quotes from the DSA platform from their own mouths,” Maher said. “Don’t tell me I’m not seeing what I am seeing. And DSA, again, they say things like ‘takeover of key industries’ … That’s communism. You know, there is a definition.”
Maher also pointed to slogans such as “abolish the police,” saying they reflected “a level of nutty” that he believes has become part of the party’s political messaging.
When Karl again asked whether those concerns could ultimately lead him to support Vance for president, Maher answered directly.
“Yes, if this is the Democratic side, yes,” he said.
Maher has long been identified with liberal political commentary but has increasingly criticized what he views as the Democratic Party’s leftward shift. After President Trump returned to the White House last year, Maher initially softened some of his criticism of the president, particularly after the two shared a dinner, an encounter that drew criticism from some fellow comedians and political observers.
Despite that meeting, Maher has continued to criticize several Trump administration policies, including the administration’s handling of the Iran war. Early in the conflict, he said he was “cautiously optimistic,” but later argued that the administration had missed an opportunity for regime change.
Vice President Vance also appeared on Maher’s HBO program last month, where the two discussed President Trump’s claims of election fraud. Maher told Vance that “s— has to stop,” while Vance agreed that candidates should concede elections but argued that “technology companies that were putting their thumb on the scale.”
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