Comedian Bill Maher stated that he might vote for Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election if the Democratic Party nominates a candidate aligned with its socialist wing. Maher, host of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher," described Democrats as "cowardly" and warned of radicals taking over the party.

During an interview on ABC News "This Week," Maher indicated his vote would be open, particularly as former President Donald Trump would be ineligible to run. He also questioned the distinction between socialism and communism, referencing the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) platform.

Maher contrasted the willingness of Republicans to appear on his program with the declining invitations from Democrats, despite their past electoral success with his support. "The Democrats don’t come, and yet they got my vote. What… it’s just odd, isn’t it? Why is that? So what is that all about?" Maher said. "Democrats are cowardly. They’re cowardly."

He expressed concern that increasingly radical figures are gaining influence within the Democratic Party. Maher recalled facing criticism from the left in the past for not adhering to certain progressive stances. "Their party is being taken over now by, you know, every day I hear about a new very radical," he stated.

Maher referenced specific examples, such as candidates in Colorado and Wisconsin advocating for the abolition of police and prisons, as indicators of the party's shift. He pointed to the DSA's platform, which includes proposals for public ownership of major corporations, abolition of police and prisons, and the elimination of the Senate.

While Maher suggested that the 2026 midterm elections would likely remain a referendum on Trump, he projected that the 2028 presidential election would present a different landscape. He argued that the "new wing" of the Democratic Party, which he characterized as energetic and growing, would play a significant role.

Maher asserted that he had not altered his views on Republicans but felt compelled to acknowledge concerning positions emerging from his own political leaning. "I didn’t change really on what I thought about the right, but just, I can’t sit and just not notice stuff which people seem to want to do because it’s all about my team or your team," he said. "But you know there’s some crazy stuff. You know, when we’re cheering for the Intifada, I cut, I’m out."