Veteran television host and longtime Democrat Bill Maher has signaled that he could vote for a Republican presidential candidate in 2028, saying he is increasingly troubled by what he views as the Democratic Party’s shift toward more radical politics.
Speaking during an appearance on ABC’s This Week, Maher said his political loyalty should not be taken for granted, arguing that neither party should receive automatic support from voters.
Comedian Accuses Democrats of Avoiding Internal Battles
Maher directed much of his criticism at Democratic leaders, accusing them of failing to challenge what he described as the growing influence of the party’s most progressive voices.
According to the Real Time host, party leaders have been reluctant to confront ideas he considers politically damaging, describing their approach as one of hesitation rather than leadership.
He argued that the willingness to ignore controversial positions simply because they come from political allies has become a major problem.
Says He Broke With Parts of the Left Years Ago
Reflecting on his own political evolution, Maher said he began distancing himself from some progressive causes roughly a decade ago, even though doing so cost him support from portions of his audience.
He explained that while his views on conservatives had largely remained unchanged, he no longer felt comfortable supporting every position promoted by activists on the left.
Maher cited slogans and demonstrations he believes have crossed a line, saying there were moments when he decided he could no longer align himself with certain movements.
Democratic Socialists Come Under Fire
A significant portion of Maher’s criticism focused on the growing influence of politicians aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
He argued that recent election victories by candidates identifying as democratic socialists have increased the faction’s influence inside the Democratic Party, raising concerns about where the party is heading.
Maher rejected attempts to distinguish some of the DSA’s proposals from communism, claiming that policies such as public control of major industries closely resemble communist economic principles.
Concern Over Calls to Eliminate Police and Prisons
Maher also criticized activists advocating for more sweeping criminal justice reforms.
He pointed to proposals calling not only for reducing police funding but for abolishing police departments and prisons altogether, questioning how such policies could realistically function in society.
According to Maher, these ideas are no longer isolated opinions but are becoming increasingly visible within parts of the progressive movement.
Republican Vote Now a Possibility
During the interview, ABC host Jon Karl asked Maher whether he could realistically support a Republican candidate in a future presidential election.
Maher responded that his vote remains open, emphasizing that he evaluates candidates individually rather than voting strictly along party lines.
When asked specifically whether he could back Vice President JD Vance in 2028, Maher replied that he could, particularly if the Democratic Party continues on its current path.
Midterms and 2028 Seen as Separate Political Tests
Despite his criticism, Maher suggested he still hopes Democrats perform well in the 2026 midterm elections, describing those races as an important judgment on the current Trump administration.
However, he believes the political landscape could look very different by the time the 2028 presidential election arrives.
According to Maher, the party’s future will depend on whether it reins in what he considers its more extreme factions or continues moving further toward the ideological left.
Longtime Democrat Signals Growing Frustration
Maher’s comments represent one of his strongest public criticisms of the Democratic Party in recent years.
While he stopped short of endorsing any Republican candidate, his remarks underscored his growing dissatisfaction with the direction of his longtime political home and suggested that, for the first time in decades, his presidential vote may no longer be guaranteed.
