Dems Need to ‘Tell Celebrities to Just Shut the Hell Up — Hollywood Is Hurting the Party’: Bill Maher

Bill Maher argues it’s time for Hollywood stars to “be quiet” and cease their performative moralizing.

“Hollywood [is] sort of the headquarters of the activist left. I don’t believe they’re helping the Democratic Party,” he stated in an interview with the California Post. “I think if Democrats want to secure future victories, step one is to tell the celebrities, ‘Just shut the hell up. You’re not contributing. You don’t come across to most Americans as reasonable or grounded in reality.’”

This brand of independent thought has alienated many in Hollywood from the “Real Time” presenter. Rather than adhering rigidly to any partisan doctrine, he typically voices his opinions as he perceives them, regardless of who takes offense.

Maher’s criticisms of progressive overreach, and his readiness to engage in dialogue with individuals across the political spectrum, have annoyed certain figures in the entertainment world over time—including, it seems, fellow comic Wanda Sykes.

When she announced the award for best stand-up comedy special at the Golden Globes earlier this month, Sykes aimed a jab at Maher, who was nominated for his HBO special “Is Anyone Else Seeing This?“

In it, Maher labels universities “four-year safe spaces for the entitled and perpetually offended” and remarks, “You wonder why the left gets more jokes from me? They evolved, not me, alright?”

“Bill Maher, you provide us with so much,” Sykes declared onstage. “But I would appreciate a little less.”

When an absent Ricky Gervais (“Mortality”)—who has stated he “supports trans rights,” but whose comedy has been condemned by GLAAD as “transphobic”—was announced as the winner, Sykes happily accepted the trophy on his behalf, announcing, “Ricky Gervais says he would like to thank God. And also the transgender community.”

Even prior to the ceremony, Maher forecasted on his “Club Random” podcast that he wouldn’t prevail: “I speak my mind, and this woke town absolutely despises that. And that’s fine. I’ve come to terms with it.”

He’s also unsurprised by the Globes’ choice to omit conservative-leaning, top-charting podcaster Joe Rogan from nominations for its new podcast award.

“It was both typical and predictable, and also absurd, that Joe Rogan wouldn’t be nominated in a category he clearly dominates,” Maher told The Post.

Maher himself is politically unorthodox and, depending on the topic, sometimes aligns with the left and sometimes the right.

He resides in Beverly Hills and, following the 2024 Los Angeles wildfires, remarked it’s “not incorrect to link some of the self-inflicted errors our government committed with the things average citizens view as trademarks of extreme progressive politics, questionable fiscal priorities, high taxes that deliver little, making every issue about identity, moral posturing abroad instead of focusing on practical matters at home.”

However, he isn’t endlessly attacking Mayor Karen Bass.

“Do I believe she’s excelled? No,” he told The Post. “But all major cities are complicated.”

He thinks California and Los Angeles have suffered because Democrats hold a monopoly on power and would prefer to witness a more balanced political landscape.

“California could benefit from significantly more moderate policies,” he said. “It’s simply unhealthy when one party completely dominates anything. That’s certainly true of the Republicans as well, who are intoxicated with power in Washington, overreaching and undertaking actions that are now costing them public support. I would love to see both parties sideline their extremists.”

He would also like to see Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was a guest on “Real Time with Bill Maher” last year, shift more toward the center.

“Regarding Newsom and the state, I have numerous disagreements with both, but I like Gavin, and I always will,” Maher said. “I think he’s an exceptionally skilled politician, and I’m constantly urging him to move toward the middle. I believe if a Democrat like Newsom gravitates more to the center, it benefits the party and it benefits the nation.”

Concerning Newsom’s recent, Trump-esque adoption of provocative humor and flashy AI-generated memes—like one depicting himself in odd, twisted positions, captioned “Democracy demands adaptability”—Maher is indifferent.

“Ultimately, that sort of thing is irrelevant except, perhaps politically it’s entertaining to observe,” he said. “Does it influence an election? I doubt it. I don’t despise it, I don’t adore it, I’m indifferent. It’s frivolous. It’s political performance.”

“Real Time with Bill Maher” resumed on HBO for its 24th season last Friday, with guests including Major General Paul Eaton, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and CNN anchor Kasie Hunt. Maher says this season will inevitably be shaped by the actions of the White House.

“It’s a new year, but what remains unchanged is that Donald Trump still sets the national conversation,” he said. “Much as you might wish otherwise, we will all be discussing whatever he places on the agenda. We didn’t anticipate it would be Greenland, but it is this week. We didn’t anticipate it would be conflict in Minneapolis, but it is.”

His assessment of the administration’s performance, to date, is nuanced.

“I genuinely dislike what’s happening with ICE, as most Americans do. I genuinely dislike what’s happening with the political vendettas,” he said. “But, you know, Venezuela, do I hate it? No, not entirely.”

In fact, he believes the left is being hypocritical for instinctively opposing Trump’s removal of Nicolás Maduro.

“If you’re the type of person who claims to despise oppression, well, I mean, that’s a rather heavy boot to lift from people’s necks,” Maher said. “If Cuba is next, that would be positive.”

But the comedian, who dined with Trump at the White House last year, stated that, even when he disagrees with the president, he avoids the typical Hollywood inclination to become obsessed by it.

“My entire identity, unlike many people out here, isn’t solely defined by Trump,” Maher said. “I don’t loathe everything. I don’t suffer from Trump derangement syndrome. Having said that, there’s simply a great deal I disapprove of, and I’m going to name it.”