Maher's political shift
Bill Maher signals willingness to back JD Vance in 2028, slams Democratic 'radical left'
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Key Points
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Maher told ABC's This Week that Democrats are being 'taken over' by a radical left and said his vote could be in play in 2028, potentially backing JD Vance if the Democratic nominee is too far left.
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He cited statements from the Democratic Socialists of America about a 'takeover of key industries' and said, 'That’s communism,' arguing these positions reflect the leftward drift in the party.
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He quipped that President Trump 'definitely has a form of Tourette syndrome' during a White House visit with Kid Rock, illustrating his provocative take on Trump amid cross-ideological commentary.
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Maher said his vote is 'in play' for 2028 and answered 'Yes' when asked if he could support Vance for president if the Democratic nominee is too far left.
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He urged Vance to drop conspiracy theories about the 2020 election to win moderates, underscoring the importance of engaging with political opponents to broaden dialogue.
Bill Maher said he could vote for JD Vance in 2028 — and he means it. The HBO comedian told ABC's This Week that his vote is "in play" for the next presidential race, answering a flat "Yes" when asked if he would back Vance over a Democratic nominee he sees as too far left. The Hill reported that Maher blamed a growing socialist wing for pushing him toward the exit door of the Democratic Party.
The remarks turned heads across the political world. Maher has long criticized both parties, but openly naming a Republican he could vote for marks a sharper break from his usual posture.
Maher Calls Democratic Left 'Nutty' and Cites Communism
Maher went after the Democratic Socialists of America by name. He quoted their platform calling for a "takeover of key industries" and said bluntly, "That's communism." He told ABC's This Week that the Democratic Party is being "taken over" by a radical left he described as "nutty." The Independent reported that Maher used a three-word slam against progressives that drew wide attention online.
Maher did not hold back on Trump either. During one riff about Trump's White House visit with Kid Rock, Maher quipped that the president "definitely has a form of Tourette syndrome." The comment showed his willingness to poke at both sides — even while signaling a potential shift in his voting plans.
Vance Could Win Maher's Vote — With One Condition
Maher made clear his openness to Vance is not unconditional. He urged Vance to drop conspiracy theories about the 2020 election if he wants to win over moderates. According to Yahoo News, Maher pressed Vance on moderation during the interview, arguing that engaging with political opponents is the only way to broaden the national conversation.
Maher said his vote in 2028 comes down to who the Democrats put up. If the nominee sits too far left, he said Vance becomes a real option. He stopped short of a full endorsement but left little doubt about where he stands if the party does not move toward the center.
A Growing Pattern of Maher Breaking With the Left
This is not the first time Maher has clashed with progressives. He has repeatedly criticized cancel culture, woke politics, and what he calls a failure of the left to speak plainly. But saying out loud that he could vote Republican in 2028 is a new line. The Post Millennial noted that the comments came shortly after Maher received a major industry honor, giving them extra weight.
The reaction from the left was sharp. Critics argued Maher was giving cover to a Republican Party that still pushes election denialism and far-right policies. Supporters said he was simply doing what fewer public figures are willing to do — call out bad ideas regardless of which party holds them.
What This Signals for the 2028 Race and Democratic Strategy
Maher's remarks land at a sensitive moment for Democrats. The party is still rebuilding after its 2024 losses and debating how far left to go on issues like climate, housing, and policing. Maher specifically cited "abolish the police" as the kind of stance that drives away voters like him. According to The Independent UK, he framed his criticism as a warning, not a goodbye — at least for now.
Whether Maher's comments move voters is unclear. But his platform is large. Real Time draws millions of viewers each week. When a well-known liberal voice says a Republican is worth considering, it tends to echo far beyond late-night television.
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