Bill Maher urges Democrats to return to 'old America,' calls for scaling back radical ideology

During Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the host argued that Democrats must scale back their more radical progressive ideas to win back broad support, calling for a return to what he described as “old America.” He framed the change as a bargaining point for the party, saying, “If we are ever going to get back to the old America, that’s got to be the Democrats’ part of the bargain. Stop coming up with radically new and often terrible ideas and then, in the next breath, insist there be no debate about any of it.”

Maher opened by criticizing Democrats’ stance on several high-profile issues, starting with the controversy over whether men should compete in women’s sports. He said there is “a lot of stuff like that on the left,” arguing that such positions alienate a broad swath of voters and provide a rallying point for conservatives who reject what they see as an effort to reinvent society regardless of democratic consensus. He argued that many progressive proposals are presented as non-negotiable, leaving little room for public dialogue.

The host went on to enumerate lines of reform he said have damaged the party’s appeal. He offered examples that included the idea of gender policies he described as expanding beyond traditional norms, and he summarized his critique with phrases like, “Transing kids by self-diagnosis with no age limit, no parental notification, and no acknowledgment of social contagion. Not doing it.” He also criticized asylum policies framed as open-ended and argued that, in his view, “Asylum now covers any reason for anyone to come to America. Not doing it.” He argued that housing and immigration debates have shifted perceptions of Democrats’ priorities.

Other items on Maher’s list reflected a broader cultural critique, including the perception that some progressive stances treat homelessness as a lifestyle and that certain public health or demographic narratives are at odds with mainstream concerns. He cited phrases such as “Homelessness is a lifestyle.” He also pressed for a recalibration of messaging around public health and race, echoing criticisms he attributed to opponents of the party, and he highlighted controversial statements he attributed to supporters, including “Natural immunity doesn’t count anymore. Whiteness is toxic. Penises in women’s prisons. Welcoming the intifada.” He insisted these examples illustrate the kinds of topics he believes have undermined the Democrats’ standing with ordinary voters.

Maher also challenged Democrats’ willingness to debate these topics with Republicans, arguing that too often the party dismisses dissent as disreputable. He cited a pattern of labeling political opponents as “bad, stupid, and deplorable,” and he warned that the absence of constructive debate risks reinforcing a perception that Democrats cannot engage in healthy, democratic dialogue. “You can’t just say s—,” he contended, adding that “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 monologue also touched on how the left defends controversial ideas, with Maher accusing Democrats of smug self-righteousness. He argued that defending some of the most contentious proposals with little room for discussion is not a winning strategy, and he urged the party to reembrace a more debate-friendly posture that could broaden its appeal to independents and swing voters alike. “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,” he said toward the segment’s conclusion.

The show’s remarks come as part of a broader national conversation about how Democratic leadership communicates policy and negotiates disagreements within a diverse coalition. Maher’s comments reflect a long-running debate inside US politics about how much ideological compromise is necessary to govern effectively and retain broad public support. Critics may view the remarks as a call for moderating reform-minded impulses; supporters could argue they reflect a push toward pragmatic policy-building and electoral pragmatism in the face of political polarization.

IMAGE1: ![Bill Maher on Real Time]https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/newspress-collage-g26rw4z3s-1759002721323.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1758988334&w=1024 "Maher on Real Time"

As MaHer’s monologue concluded, the emphasis appeared to be less about a specific policy prescription than a strategic impulse: restore a sense of debate, stress accountability, and temper a few hardline positions to broaden electoral appeal. Whether viewers agree with his assessment or not, the remarks underscore a persistent question in US politics: how far can and should a party go in pursuing ideological goals before the gains in policy clarity are offset by losses at the ballot box. If Democrats heed the call to scale back certain radical ideas and emphasize open debate, they may seek to recapture a broader center that Maher says has drifted away in recent years.

IMAGE3: ![Bill Maher image]https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/bill-maher-says-bring-back-112276276.jpg?w=1024 "Maher image at the segment"