Bill Maher says he's open to voting Vance, Rubio as Dems embrace Mamdani-led socialists

During the latest episode of HBO’s “Real Time,” liberal host Bill Maher told Vice President JD Vance that his vote is “in play” in the 2028 presidential election, noting how the Democrats have gone further and further to the left.

Maher, a long-time liberal who has been outspoken about his party’s shift toward socialism and identity politics, made the comments while discussing the Democratic Party’s future. His remarks come after New York City socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani’s election and the recent string of Democratic primary victories in New York by members of the Democratic Socialists of America.

“Like, if this is where the Democratic Party is going, where this Democratic socialist, this obsession with Israel, with the Jew-hating, they don’t believe in capitalism, no prisons. If this is where they’re going, my vote is in play,” Maher told the vice president.

Maher, said that he has “always” preferred who he believes to be the best option rather than engage in party politics, but has usually voted for Democrats.

“It actually always has been,” he said about his vote being up for grabs. “Every year, I don’t make my decision by who has an R or a D, I actually always came to the conclusion that the Democrat was probably better and voted for them,” he added.

When talking about the Republican Party, Maher told Vance that the future of the party would be either him or Rubio, and that he may vote for either of them in the 2028 election. He also applauded Vance for sitting down and participating in the show despite Maher being a liberal.

“I’m just glad you’re talking to me, you know?” Maher said. “I mean, I say it every time, the Republicans come here and they take their beating like a man.”

“It’s the people I vote for, they’re the ones who won’t talk to me! That’s odd, isn’t it?” Maher noted.

Vance asked if Darializa Avila Chevalier, a DSA candidate in New York who is backed by Mamdani, would appear on the show. Maher responded “no,” adding that high-ranking Democrats such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Vice President Kamala Harris have also declined.

“Took me eight years to get Obama!” Maher said.