HBO’s Real Time host Bill Maher delivered a blunt assessment of the Democratic Party during an interview that aired Sunday on ABC’s This Week, arguing that party leaders have failed to stand up to what he described as an increasingly influential Democratic Socialist faction.
Speaking with ABC anchor Jonathan Karl, Maher repeatedly criticized Democrats for what he called a lack of courage in confronting more progressive voices within their own ranks.
“Democrats are cowardly,” Maher said. “They’re cowardly.”
Maher contended that the party’s moderate wing is surrendering ground while more radical figures continue to gain prominence.
“Their party is being taken over now,” Maher said. “Every day I hear about a new very radical guy.”
The longtime comedian and political commentator reflected on his own break with parts of the political left, saying he lost viewers years ago because he refused to embrace positions he considered too extreme.
“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.
He added that his views of conservatives have largely remained unchanged, but argued he could not ignore developments within the Democratic Party simply out of partisan loyalty.
“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.”
Maher pointed to rhetoric he finds unacceptable, specifically mentioning support for the “Intifada.”
“But yeah, there’s some crazy stuff. You know, when we’re cheering for the Intifada… cut! I’m out,” he said.
Karl also referenced Maher’s recent interview with Vice President JD Vance, during which the HBO host indicated he could be open to supporting Vance in the 2028 presidential election.
“Your vote is up for grabs,” Karl observed.
“Yes,” Maher replied. “My vote is in play. Because it can’t be Trump running.”
Maher then turned his criticism toward the Democratic Socialists of America, saying he disagrees with elements of the organization’s platform.
“So I’m not living in communist America,” Maher said. “I mean, I know that the talking point is that it’s not communism, it’s socialism. OK, I’ve read the quotes from the DSA platform from their own mouths. Don’t tell me I’m not seeing what I am seeing!”
Maher cited language he said advocates a “takeover of key industries,” arguing that such proposals amount to communism.
“DSA, again, they say things like ‘takeover of key industries,’ … That’s communism! You know, there is a definition,” he said.
Karl responded by noting, “By the way, Trump’s doing that too.”
“Of course, yes,” Maher answered.
Despite his criticism of Democrats, Maher predicted the party could perform well in the 2026 midterm elections because he believes those races will largely serve as a referendum on President Donald Trump. However, he suggested the political landscape could change in 2028 with Trump no longer on the ballot.
Maher argued that the party’s energized progressive wing has grown beyond a handful of isolated voices.
“This wing of the party… This new wing with all the energy… it’s not just a few people anymore,” he said.
He added that he frequently reads about candidates promoting positions beyond “defund the police,” instead advocating to “abolish the police.”
“No prisons, no police,” Maher said. “Like, what world do they think we could possibly live in under these conditions? It’s just a level of nutty that — I’m so glad that whenever it was, I was like, ‘No, I’m not going along.'”
Karl closed by asking Maher directly whether he could envision voting for Vice President JD Vance in a future presidential race.
“Could you see yourself voting for JD Vance?” Karl asked.
“Yes,” Maher replied. “If this is the Democratic side, yes.”
