Bill Maher Tells JD Vance His ‘Vote Is In Play’ As Democratic Party Continues To Elect Socialists

Bill Maher just put Vice President JD Vance on notice that his support in 2028 is up for grabs.

The “Real Time” host made the admission during Friday’s episode on HBO, telling Vance his vote could swing rightward if Democrats keep drifting toward socialism, as seen on a video clip of the show. “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 Vance.

Vance, 41, welcomed the remark with a quick “I like to hear that.” Maher then clarified that party labels have never dictated his choices. “It actually always has been. 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 said. (RELATED: Bill Maher Says Artists Pulling Out Of ‘America 250’ Makes It Look Like Democrats ‘Don’t Really Love America’)

With President Donald Trump barred from another term, Maher narrowed the field of Republicans who might earn his vote. “So it’s either going to be you or Rubio,” he told Vance, referring to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

WHOA: Bill Maher looks JD Vance dead in the eye and says his “vote is in play” for 2028.

Maher openly admitted to Vance that if socialists take over the Democratic Party, he’s likely voting for him or Rubio.

MAHER: “Like, if this is where the Democratic Party is going, where… pic.twitter.com/VlzibQB9nl

— Overton (@overton_news) June 27, 2026

The host attached one condition before any such vote could happen. He pressed Vance to break from Trump’s pattern of disputing election results, framing it as a dealbreaker for winning over voters like him, according to The Daily Beast. Maher asked whether Vance would bring the country back toward conceding elections rather than alleging fraud after every loss.

Vance declined to give the answer Maher wanted. “OK, Bill, so this is where I’m probably gonna lose you here,” the vice president said, according to The Daily Beast. He argued that Trump’s complaints centered on 2020 and pointed to technology companies he accused of suppressing right-leaning content that year.

Maher also took aim at prominent Democrats who keep turning down invitations to his program. “I can’t get AOC, I can’t get Mamdani, I couldn’t get Kamala Harris. Took me eight years to get Obama!” he said.

His frustration lands as the party’s left wing keeps gaining ground. Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic Socialists of America member, unseated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in Tuesday’s primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District, the New York Post reported. She was one of several candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to win their primary races.