Bill Maher says Democratic Socialists of America has “entered” the Democratic Party, likening it to communism

Political commentator Bill Maher used his HBO show “Real Time” to criticize the Democratic Socialists of America, saying the movement has effectively entered the Democratic Party and that its position resembles communism. Maher made the remarks on Friday, according to The Hill.

In his discussion, Maher focused on the rise of “democratic socialism” and what he described as the movement’s growing political presence. He said viewers do not have to search for evidence of the movement’s intentions, adding that “not a week goes by” without a new example of democratic socialism appearing in mainstream Democratic politics, The Hill reported.

Maher directly addressed the Democratic Socialists of America, saying the group is “not trying to hide it” in how it presents its ideas. He also characterized democratic socialism as communism, according to The Hill’s account of his comments during the broadcast.

The Hill reported that Maher’s remarks centered on how the Democratic Socialists of America is perceived by critics as influencing Democratic Party politics from within, rather than remaining at the margins. Maher’s comments were framed as a response to what he described as a persistent trend of democratic socialist language and organizing moving into the mainstream.

Maher’s comments arrived in a broader political environment where democratic socialism has been a recurring point of debate among Democrats and outside groups, often centering on questions of federal government power, taxation, and regulation. In Maher’s framing, the concern was less about a single policy proposal and more about what he described as an ideological pipeline into Democratic Party institutions.

The remarks were delivered as part of Maher’s regular on-air commentary rather than through a formal statement, and The Hill reported the content based on the show segment. No legislative or administrative action was announced in connection with the comments.

The Democratic Socialists of America has faced criticism from opponents who argue that the group’s policy approach and rhetoric align with broader socialist aims, while supporters have argued that the organization is focused on democratic reforms and policy changes. The Hill’s report of Maher’s comments reflected his personal characterization of that debate rather than a new finding from an official body.

No official record was cited in The Hill’s report to substantiate Maher’s specific description of the movement’s activities inside the Democratic Party. As such, the broadcast statements function as commentary on political developments rather than a documentable policy change or enforcement action.