Bill Maher surprised JD Vance with an admission that few viewers probably saw coming. During a wide-ranging interview, the longtime political commentator revealed that he could consider voting Republican in the 2028 presidential election.
The conversation unfolded on HBO’s “Real Time,” where Maher and the vice president debated everything from immigration to election integrity. But it was Maher’s comments about his own voting future that quickly grabbed attention.
Bill Maher tells JD Vance that he can vote for Republicans in 2028
Maher welcomed Vance by noting that many Democratic politicians have declined invitations to appear on his show. “It’s the people I vote for, they’re the ones who won’t talk to me,” Maher said. “That’s odd, isn’t it? I can’t get [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]. I can’t get [Zohran] Mamdani. I couldn’t get Kamala Harris.”
Later in the interview, Maher acknowledged that his vote isn’t locked in for either party heading into the next presidential race.
“If this is where [the Democrats are] going, my vote is in play,” Maher said, according to USA Today. “Actually, it 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”.
However, Maher also made it clear what would stop him from supporting a Republican candidate. Referring to the 2020 election, he said, “Under Trump, you guys have two outcomes that an election can be: Either we win, or they cheated. That … has to stop.”
Vance pushed back on that criticism, responding, “I don’t think that we should not concede elections, but I don’t think that’s what’s going on.”
The vice president also defended the Trump administration’s foreign policy during the interview. Vance argued that the United States remains in a strong position regardless of whether negotiations with Iran ultimately produce a permanent agreement.
“If we make the final deal, then great,” he said. “If we don’t make the final deal, their nuclear program is still destroyed. They’re still much weaker as a country, so my attitude is America wins either way.”
The duo also sparred over immigration policy before finding some unexpected common ground criticizing the news media. At one point, Vance joked that he was surprised Maher didn’t sound like a “crazy liberal,” prompting Maher to quip, “I know someone in your administration who watches the show.”
Maher’s remarks come after years of criticizing both Republicans and Democrats, reinforcing his claim that his support ultimately depends on the candidate rather than the political party.
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED TO HEAR BILL MAHER SAY HIS REPUBLICAN VOTE IS “IN PLAY” FOR 2028?
