BS BRIEF
- Bill Maher says his “vote is in play” for 2028, telling ABC’s Jonathan Karl he could consider voting for Vice President JD Vance depending on the direction of the Democratic Party.
- Maher sharply criticized what he described as the growing influence of democratic socialism, saying he believes some proposals from the Democratic Socialists of America resemble communism.
- His remarks are fueling new speculation about the post-Trump political landscape, where Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are widely viewed as prominent Republican figures heading toward 2028.
BILL MAHER SAYS HIS 2028 VOTE IS “IN PLAY” AS HE WARNS ABOUT DEMOCRATS’ LEFTWARD SHIFT
Comedian and longtime political commentator Bill Maher is once again drawing attention for breaking with political expectations.
During an interview that aired Sunday on ABC’s This Week, Maher told Jonathan Karl that his vote in the 2028 presidential election is “in play,” leaving open the possibility that he could support Vice President JD Vance if he believes the Democratic Party continues moving in a direction he opposes.
Karl referenced Maher’s recent conversation with Vance on HBO’s Real Time, asking whether he was serious about being open to supporting the vice president.
Maher’s response was brief.
“Yes. My vote is in play.”
He added:
“Because it can’t be Trump running.”
Maher used the interview to expand on criticisms he has made for several years regarding the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. He argued that what he once viewed as a relatively small faction has become increasingly influential.
“Their party is being taken over now.”
Maher also said:
“Every day I hear about a new very radical guy.”
While emphasizing that he has not fundamentally changed many of his own political views, Maher argued that he refuses to ignore positions he considers extreme simply because they come from his own side of the political spectrum.
“I can’t sit and just not notice stuff.”
One issue Maher highlighted was the Democratic Socialists of America. Rejecting attempts to distinguish democratic socialism from communism, he pointed to portions of the organization’s platform discussing government ownership of key industries.
“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 added:
“That’s communism.”
Maher also criticized Democratic leaders for what he described as a reluctance to challenge their party’s activist base.
“Democrats are cowardly.”
The HBO host has long described himself as politically independent despite frequently voting for Democratic candidates. Last year, he remarked on his Club Random podcast that he was never formally a Democrat but generally found the party less objectionable than Republicans. Sunday’s interview suggested that calculation may no longer be automatic.
His comments arrive as both parties are beginning to look beyond President Trump’s final term. Although no major 2028 campaigns have officially launched, political observers continue to view Vice President JD Vance among the Republicans most frequently discussed as a potential presidential contender.
MY TAKE:
One of the more interesting aspects of this interview isn’t whether Bill Maher actually votes Republican in 2028. It’s that someone who has spent decades criticizing Republicans is openly saying his vote is no longer automatic.
Maher has built a career on irritating everyone at one point or another. Whether viewers agree with him or not, his willingness to criticize political allies has become increasingly unusual in today’s media environment.
DBS WIRE SOURCES
- ABC News – Bill Maher on the Mark Twain Prize, Trump and the progressive left
- ABC News – This Week transcript (July 19, 2026)
- Washington Examiner – Bill Maher says he could see himself voting for Vance in 2028
- The Independent – Bill Maher says his vote is in play for 2028
