Bill Maher ‘Out’ On The Democratic Party, Hints At Voting Republican In Shocking Interview

On Jul 19, 2026

Longtime HBO host Bill Maher shared his deep disagreements with the Democratic Party and indicated that he would consider voting Republican during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.

Maher, a lifelong Democrat and advocate of left-wing causes, largely focused on what he described as the party’s failure to confront radical elements within its ranks and its shift toward more extreme positions. He described this as a “cowardly” position from party leadership.

“Democrats are cowardly, they’re cowardly. Their party is being taken over now by, you know, every day I hear about a new very radical guy,” Maher told host Jon Karl. He added context about his own past decisions, saying he had distanced himself from certain left-wing positions approximately ten years earlier and lost fans as a result.

“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. I didn’t change really on what I thought about the Right. 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,” the “Real Time” host added. “But yeah, there’s some crazy stuff. You know, when we’re cheering for the Intifada… cut! I’m out.”

Maher specifically criticized the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) wing of the party. This faction has been on the rise since the victory of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamadani, as a number of self-styled socialist candidates have ousted Democrat incumbents in recent months.

Maher rejected the distinction often drawn between socialism and communism in this context. “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,” he said. “And DSA, again, they say things like ‘takeover of key industries,’ … That’s communism! You know, there is a definition.”

He further described emerging positions associated with this wing, including variations on calls to abolish police and prisons. “This new wing with all the energy…it’s not just a few people anymore… Every day I read about a new person in Colorado and Wisconsin, somebody who is saying some variation of, not ‘defund the police,’ ‘abolish the police.’ No prisons, no police. Like, what world do they think we could possibly live in under these conditions?” Maher went on to say.

“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.’”

Liberal comedian Bill Maher says he’s “out” on the Democrat party:

“Democrats are cowardly… their party is being taken over now. Every day I hear about a new radical…when we’re cheering for the intifada, I’m out.” pic.twitter.com/pXyOI22HJk

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 19, 2026

Elsewhere in the conversation, Karl asked Maher about his voting preferences going forward and whether he would consider voting for a Republican candidate. The host referenced a prior appearance by Vice President JD Vance on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” in which Maher had indicated his vote was open depending on the candidate.

“Your vote is up for grabs?” Karl asked, to which Maher replied, “Yes. My vote is in play. Because it can’t be Trump running. So I’m not living in communist America.”

When Karl asked directly, “Could you see yourself voting for JD Vance?” Maher replied, “Yes. If this is the, the Democratic side, yes.”

🚨 WOW! Bill Maher just said he’s considering voting Republican for president in 2028 because Democrats are becoming communists

HUGE MISTAKE, DEMS!

“Yes, my vote is in play…I’m NOT living in communist America. The talking point, ‘it’s socialism.’ I read the quotes from the… pic.twitter.com/4MNyJOYtwM

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 19, 2026

Maher further indicated that he expects and hopes the Democratic Party will perform well in the 2026 midterm elections, which he viewed as a referendum on the current Trump administration. However, he stated that 2028 would present a different situation due to the ongoing influence of the more radical elements in the Democratic Party.

He described the 2028 contest as one in which “it will be a different story.”