In a recent interview with the California Post, Maher argued that Hollywood has become “the epicenter of the woke left” and is hurting, not helping, Democratic prospects.
“If Democrats want to win elections in the future, job one is to tell the celebrities to just shut up,” Maher said. He added that many voters outside major cities see celebrities as out of touch with everyday reality.
Maher, who lives in Beverly Hills, also said California would benefit from a more balanced political system. The state is heavily Democratic, but Maher believes one-party dominance is unhealthy.
“California could stand for a lot more centrist policies,” he said. “It’s not a good thing when one party completely controls anything.” He added that Republicans have also overreached when in power, and said he would like to see both parties marginalize their more extreme voices.
Celebrities have been increasingly vocal about politics in recent years, using music, fashion, and public appearances to share their views, including meetings with Donald Trump.
Maher is no stranger to political debate himself. His HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher, is now in its 24th season and regularly features heated political discussions.
On his Club Random podcast, Maher said political division has influenced his personal decisions. In a November episode with comedian Patton Oswalt, he explained why he stopped touring as a stand-up comic.
“I don’t want to be out there in this country in this political atmosphere,” Maher said. “I could get shot by the left or the right.”
Maher also recently addressed criticism from Larry David, the creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm. David wrote a New York Times column comparing Maher’s dinner with Trump to dining with Adolf Hitler, a comparison Maher said went too far.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Maher said he did not want the disagreement to become personal and suggested the two could still reconcile.
Real Time With Bill Maher airs Fridays on HBO.
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