Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher stated on Sunday, July 19, 2026, that he could vote for Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election if the Democratic Party nominates a candidate aligned with its socialist wing. Maher described Democrats as "cowardly" and warned that radicals are increasingly taking over the party.

When asked by ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl if he could see himself voting for Vance, Maher responded, "Yes."

Maher defended his recent interview with Vice President Vance after critics accused him of not being aggressive enough toward the Republican. He explained that his vote remains open because former President Donald Trump cannot run again, adding, "My vote is in play because it can’t be Trump running, so I’m not living in communist America."

Discussing the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Maher rejected attempts to distinguish socialism from communism, stating, "I mean, I know 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 also warned that the Democratic Party is being overtaken by increasingly radical figures, recalling that he lost fans about a decade ago for refusing to embrace some left-wing positions. He predicted Democrats would perform well in the 2026 midterm elections due to the races being a referendum on Trump but said, "2028 is a different story because by then this wing of the party, this new wing with all the energy, and it’s not just a few people anymore."

Sources