Bill Maher says outsider could restore Democrats’ credibility, eyes Stephen A. Smith
The late-night host argues a nontraditional candidate with no ties to the party’s past could win back disaffected voters, pointing to Stephen A. Smith as a potential outsider.
Bill Maher argued Thursday that the Democratic Party’s brand is so tarnished that it needs a total outsider to regain credibility and potentially derail Donald Trump. Speaking on Stephen A. Smith’s Straight Shooter podcast, the comedian floated sports commentator Stephen A. Smith as the kind of outsider who could reconnect with voters who have tuned out the party.
During the interview, Maher joked, "I see somebody right here in my Zoom camera," signaling that Smith might fit the role. Smith later said he has no intention of running, noting he is too careful about giving up his money, but Maher pressed the case, describing the party as a "ghost brand" that would require someone with no sentimental attachment to its past to redeem it. "But it would take somebody who is unapologetic about calling them out. People have lost faith in the Democratic Party for very good reasons. And you’re the only one I hear who doesn’t look like he cares what the other Democrats will say about it," Maher said. Smith replied, "I don’t care. I really don’t." The exchange continued as Maher observed, "I know. I don’t either. I’m right where you are. We’re very close on all these things. And I think somebody with that kind of abandon is the only person who is going to win back former Democratic voters who have switched over."
The conversation touched on whether a far-left candidate could win a national election in today’s climate. When Smith asked the question, Maher replied, "Do you think a far-lefty can win a national election in this day and age? A presidential election?" Smith added his own view, and Maher agreed, replying, "I don’t think so either." The dialogue underscored a broader argument from Maher that the party needs someone who can be blunt about calling out Democratic faults without being tethered to a particular faction.
Maher has long urged Democrats to moderate their positions or at least reset their messaging. He also offered nuanced praise for California Gov. Gavin Newsom for moving toward the center on several issues, while cautions that a successful national bid would require more distance from California’s left-leaning policies to avoid diluting mainstream appeal. At one point, Maher noted that Newsom’s willingness to shift toward the center is a potential asset, but stressed that a national candidate would need to go further in distancing their image from the most progressive California policies to appeal to a broad electorate.
The remarks came as a window into the ongoing debate inside the Democratic coalition about how to regain broad voter trust. In the same breath as discussing outside-the-box contenders, the conversation also touched on the potential for established figures to reframe their public personas for a national contest. The strategy represents a broader trend in U.S. politics: voices outside the traditional party machinery are being considered as possible catalysts to reset a party’s appeal amid persistent skepticism from voters who shifted away in recent elections.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is widely considered among the most likely Democratic figures to enter the 2028 primary, a point referenced by observers analyzing who could carry the party’s banner in the next cycle. While Maher credited Newsom for some centrism, he reiterated that for a national run to succeed, a candidate would need to demonstrate greater readiness to challenge the party establishment and to connect with voters who feel left behind by former major-brand political power.
The discussion also underscored a broader question facing Democrats: can a candidate who is not tightly associated with the party’s current left-leaning posture recapture trust among voters who have become disillusioned? Supporters of this outsider approach argue that a candid, outspoken figure who is unafraid to call out elected colleagues could resonate with independents and disaffected Democrats alike. Critics caution that elevating a candidate primarily for outsider credibility could risk alienating core Democratic constituencies who view strong policy reform as essential.
Ultimately, the exchange illustrates the dynamic tension within the party as it eyes future elections. Maher’s proposal—an unapologetic outsider who can credibly critique both the opposition and the party establishment—reflects a broader search for a unifying pitch that can recapture voters who have drifted away. Whether such a figure exists in the contemporary political landscape remains to be seen, but the idea continues to echo in discussions about the path back to broad-based Democratic support.