In a forthright interview with the California Post, veteran political commentator and television host Bill Maher has launched a scathing critique of the Democratic Party's current trajectory, arguing that its leftward drift and association with Hollywood's 'woke' culture are severely damaging its electoral prospects.
A Warning Against One-Party Dominance
Maher, the 70-year-old host of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, asserted that the Democrats' unchecked control in California has been detrimental to the state. He emphasised the dangers of any single party holding absolute power, a situation he believes leads to poor governance and policy overreach. 'California could stand for a lot more centrist policies,' Maher stated. 'It's just not a good thing when one party completely controls anything.'
He drew a parallel to the Republican Party's experience in Washington, suggesting they too had become 'drunk with power' and engaged in actions that ultimately eroded their popularity. Maher expressed a desire for both major parties to rein in their more extreme elements, quipping, 'I would love to see both sides marginalize their crazies.'
Hollywood's Damaging Influence
Maher reserved particularly blunt criticism for Hollywood, which he described as the 'epicenter of the woke left.' He argued that the entertainment industry's progressive activism is actively harming the Democratic Party's reputation with mainstream voters across the United States.
His advice to the party was unequivocal: 'I think if Democrats want to win elections in the future, job one, tell the celebrities to just shut the f*** up. You're not helping. You don't strike people in most of the country as sensible or in touch with reality.'
Personal Fallout and Public Spats
Maher acknowledged that his outspoken criticism of progressive politics has made him a controversial figure within the entertainment industry. He revealed on his Club Random podcast that he never expected to win his recent Golden Globe nomination, attributing this to his unfiltered commentary. 'I speak freely, and this woke town f***ing hates that. And that's okay. I've made my peace with that,' he said.
This prediction proved accurate when presenter Wanda Sykes mocked him during the awards ceremony, drawing laughter from the audience. Furthermore, Maher remains embroiled in a public feud with fellow comedian Dave Chappelle, who recently criticised Maher's commentary style in a Netflix special.
A Call for Centrist Leadership
Turning to specific leaders, Maher commented on the performance of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, stating, 'Did I think she'd done a great job? No. But all cities are messy.' He also addressed California Governor Gavin Newsom, whom he said he likes personally but believes needs to adopt more centrist policies for the good of both his party and the nation.
'I think if a Democrat like Newsom moves more to the center, it's good for the party and it's good for the country,' Maher concluded, framing this shift as essential for broader electoral success.
Broader Criticisms and Defence
Maher also criticised the recent trend of 'Golden Globes activism,' ridiculing celebrities for wearing anti-ICE pins on the red carpet and labelling such virtue-signalling as hypocritical. He warned that these actions further alienate moderate voters.
In a related defence, Maher called out the Golden Globes for snubbing podcaster Joe Rogan in a new award category, describing the omission as 'typical and predictable and also ridiculous.' He reiterated his core argument that the Democratic Party's embrace of far-left positions, amplified by Hollywood's activism, has created a significant rift with the American political centre.
