Bill Maher urges Democrats to dial back radical progressivism to win back 'old America' on Real Time
The Real Time host argues Democrats must scale back contentious policies and invite debate to regain credibility with mainstream voters, amid ongoing partisan conflicts over gender, immigration and social policy.
Bill Maher, the host of HBO's Real Time, urged Democrats to return to what he called an “old America” by dialing down what he described as radical progressive policies during a Sept. 26, 2025 episode. In his monologue, Maher argued that reclaiming broad-based credibility with mainstream voters requires the party to curb what he sees as overreach and to allow room for legitimate debate rather than insisting on unanimity on every issue.
In laying out his critique, Maher highlighted a string of topics he said have damaged the Democratic Party’s standing with the public, including the participation of transgender athletes in sports and other culture-war flashpoints. He referenced the ongoing controversy over sports policy, saying, “Transing kids by self-diagnosis with no age limit, no parental notification, and no acknowledgment of social contagion. Not doing it.” He also criticized permissive asylum policies and other immigration proposals, adding, “Asylum now covers any reason for anyone to come to America. Not doing it.” He tossed in concerns about homelessness, public health narratives, and racial rhetoric as part of what he said have dulled the party’s credibility. Several states have passed laws banning transgender student athletes from participating on teams that align with their gender identity.
Maher also took aim at Democrats’ willingness to debate Republicans, arguing that the party’s tendency to dismiss dissent as “bad, stupid, and deplorable” undercuts democratic norms and leaves voters skeptical of the party’s commitment to free dialogue. “You can't just say s---,” he said, before mocking a string of provocative phrases sometimes invoked in political discourse: “Math is racist. Queers for Palestine. Looting is cool. Healthy at any weight. If the men's football team played the women's team, it would be a tie.” The host contended that such lines reflect a smug self-righteousness, not a winning strategy for electoral success.
He warned that if Democrats continue pushing radical policies, those in power may be reluctant to relinquish control—even when a broad swath of Americans favor more conventional approaches. “Here's one thing I can promise every liberal in this country. The Democrats can win every election from now until forever. And the people who now hold the reins of power will not give a s--- and will not give it back if they think you're still nutty,” Maher said in closing his monologue.
The comments come amid a broader, polarized national debate over how far the Democratic coalition should go on social issues, and how it should respond to opposition from Republicans who argue that sweeping changes threaten traditional norms. The remarks also intersect with ongoing coverage of policy debates on gender, immigration and public safety, issues that have repeatedly shaped midterm and presidential campaigns in recent years.
Beyond the public rhetoric, lawmakers in several states have already enacted or proposed measures addressing transgender participation in athletics, a flashpoint that has animated both political campaigns and school board races. Advocates say such rules are about fair competition and safety, while opponents argue they politicize youth sports and undermine civil rights protections. The discourse has stretched into national forums, influencing conversations about how political parties frame education, health care and family policy as part of their core platforms.
This report is part of ongoing coverage of US politics, where leaders and commentators alike grapple with how to balance progressive objectives with appeals to a broad electorate. The remarks on Real Time reflect a belief among some observers that addressing voter concerns with steadier, less headline-driven rhetoric could help shore up broad-based support in a country that remains deeply divided along cultural and ideological lines. The Fox News report underscores how political messaging around identity, immigration and safety continues to shape public expectations of what constitutes effective governance in contemporary American politics.