Comedian Bill Maher has identified New York City congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier as the "patient zero" of the "woke mind virus," expressing concern that the Democratic Party's far-left shift could impact his future voting decisions.
During a segment on his HBO show "Real Time," Maher highlighted Chevalier's positions, which include abolishing prisons, police, and borders. He specifically questioned her stance on crime, noting that she was unable to affirm whether someone who commits murder should go to jail when asked by The New York Times. Maher also cited her statements against law enforcement, labeling veterans as war criminals, and her critical remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden.
"So there is a woke mind virus, and I think we found patient zero," Maher stated on his program. Chevalier recently won the Democratic primary for New York's 13th Congressional District, a seat previously held by Adriano Espaillat. Her campaign had reportedly been endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Maher shared his concerns with Republican Vice President JD Vance, lamenting the increasing influence of the far left within the Democratic Party. He mentioned Chevalier's past social media activity, including praise for communism and a post where she claimed to wipe her hands on the American flag due to a lack of napkins. Maher indicated that if the Democratic Party continues to embrace what he described as an "obsession with Israel, with the Jew-hating, they don't believe in capitalism, no prisons," his vote could be "in play."
While Maher has historically identified as a Democrat and leaned left on most issues, he has expressed growing frustration with what he perceives as the rise of "woke" and socialist ideologies. However, he also conveyed to Vance that former President Donald Trump's general questioning of U.S. election integrity remains a significant concern for him.
Chevalier's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.