Bill Maher Praises Republicans for ‘Taking Their Beating Like a Man’

Bill Maher recently praised Republicans for “taking their beating like a man” while calling out Democrats for refusing to do the same.

On the June 26 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher — the last before embarking on a summer break that lasts until July 31 — the late-night host, 70, sat down with Vice President JD Vance, 41, as his guest.

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

He continued, “It’s the people I vote for, they’re the ones who won’t talk to me. That’s odd, isn’t it?” To that, Vance agreed, “It is very odd… This new woman who was elected in New York, do you think she’ll come on the show?”

Maher then lamented, “No! I can’t get AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]. I can’t get [Zohran] Mamdani. I couldn’t get Kamala Harris. You know, it took me eight years to get [Barack] Obama.”

(During the same interview with Vance, Maher also admitted that his “vote is in play” for the 2026 midterm elections, but with one dealbreaker.)

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That wasn’t the first time Maher has criticized Democrats for refusing to appear on Real Time. In May, the stand-up comedian complained to Will.i.am on his Club Random podcast when the rapper asked who he wants to interview that he hasn’t had a chance to yet.

“Ironically, mostly Democrats,” Maher replied. “Like, because they’re such p*****s, they won’t come on the show. Like the Clintons, I mean, you know, Kamala, I voted for you.”

He reiterated, “Democrats are p*****s about going anywhere that they’re not already pre-adored. Not all of them, but I mean, somebody… Kamala Harris, I mean, like I always say to my woke friends, we voted for the same person. You’re just why she lost.”

Real Time With Bill Maher, Fridays at 10/9c, HBO