Comedian and podcast host Bill Maher asserted that California voters will consistently choose Democrats, even in the face of policy failures, as long as former President Donald Trump remains associated with the Republican party. Maher expressed this view during an appearance on his podcast, "Club Random," with guest David Foster.

Maher drew a parallel between the current political climate and the behavior of voters, stating, "It just shows that, in this state, I guess everywhere, we’re so bipartisan now, that we will accept failure, which we plainly have here in California, over voting for the party of Trump." He elaborated on his criticisms of Trump, noting the former president's "vulgar, corrupt" behavior and his "inept" execution of policies, even those he initially supported, such as border security and nuclear disarmament with Iran.

"As long as he’s there, this state will never vote for a Republican, no matter how bad the Democrat gets. And that is a bad place to be," Maher commented.

Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, speaking to Fox News Digital, echoed Maher's sentiment, suggesting that the issue extends beyond California or the Democratic party. Alpert argued that when politics becomes a core part of one's identity, individuals tend to overlook flaws in their own political side while fiercely criticizing opposing viewpoints. He suggested this dynamic creates a situation where politicians may feel less accountable if they believe voters will support them regardless of their actions.

Maher also voiced concerns about potential government overreach, likening government-run grocery stores to systems seen in Cuba and the Soviet Union, which he described as "not great."

This is not the first time Maher has been critical of California's governance. In July, during his show "Real Time," he questioned the state's performance in education and green energy, suggesting that states like Mississippi and Texas were outperforming California on issues typically championed by Democrats.

He specifically highlighted educational outcomes, citing a New York Times article from February 9, 2026, which noted that Black fourth-graders in Mississippi were 2.5 times more likely to be proficient in reading than their counterparts in California. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for 2024 supports these findings. In reading, 19% of Black fourth-graders in Mississippi were proficient, compared to 7% in California. In math, 22% of Black fourth-graders in Mississippi were proficient, versus 10% in California. Mississippi also showed higher proficiency rates with significantly lower spending.

Maher's remarks suggest a belief that partisan loyalty in California overrides assessments of governmental effectiveness, particularly when contrasted with the alternative represented by Donald Trump and the Republican party.