Comedian Bill Maher suggested he could support Republican JD Vance for president in 2028 if progressive Democrats dominate the party, criticizing their ideology as “a level of nutty” he refuses to endorse. The remarks came during an interview on ABC’s This Week, aired Sunday, weeks after Maher received the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Maher’s criticism of progressive Democrats

Maher, a frequent critic of both major parties, told ABC’s Jonathan Karl that the Democratic Party’s progressive wing had pushed him to reconsider his loyalty. “This wing of the party, this new wing with all the energy... It's just a level of nutty that I'm so glad that whenever it was I was like no, I'm not going along because this is where it ends,” he said.

When asked if he could back Vance in 2028, Maher replied, “Yes,” adding that his vote was “in play” if the alternative was a progressive Democrat. He also advised Vance to abandon conspiracy theories about the 2020 election to appeal to moderates: “This stuff that's going on now... this s*** has to stop.”

Democratic Party tensions and Maher’s past positions

Maher has previously criticized the Democratic Party as “cowardly” for avoiding his show despite his support. He noted that while some Democrats, like Sen. Bernie Sanders, have appeared on his program, many others have not. “The Democrats don't come on [my show], and yet they got my vote. It's just odd, isn't it?” he remarked.

His comments come amid ongoing clashes between progressive Democrats and party leadership, with primary challenges targeting incumbents. The left has framed these challenges as a response to voter frustration over perceived inaction, particularly following the start of a second Trump administration in 2025.

Controversy over Maher’s Mark Twain Prize

Maher’s selection for the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize sparked debate, as critics argued it reflected the Trump-controlled board’s influence. Trump had previously attempted to rename the center and alter its programming, facing resistance from artists and audiences. The board later announced a two-year renovation after declining ticket sales.