On Friday’s broadcast of HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher criticized prominent Democrats for refusing to appear on his program, saying party leaders are “too afraid of too many things.” Maher revealed that both Bill and Hillary Clinton, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris, have repeatedly declined invitations to join him, even during Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.
In his closing monologue, Maher contrasted Democrats’ avoidance with Republicans’ willingness to engage. “People ask me all the time, why haven’t you ever had Hillary or Bill Clinton on? Why didn’t you have Kamala on during the last campaign? You think we don’t ask? We ask these people every week. They say no. It took eight years and a petition to get Obama on,” Maher said. He added that while he voted for all of them, they are still “afraid to come on the show of a guy who voted for them.”
Maher noted that Republicans often accept his invitations despite knowing they will face tough questions. “The Republicans, they show up, and when they do, they take their beating like a man,” he remarked. The host praised California Governor Gavin Newsom for appearing, saying at least he has not shied away from facing difficult conversations.
Maher also expressed frustration with progressive figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), New York Assemblyman and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (D), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who have all declined to come on his show. “I would love to have AOC on the show and Mamdani and Elizabeth Warren, but I can’t subpoena the guests,” he quipped.
Maher’s comments reflect a broader critique that Democratic leaders increasingly avoid unscripted interviews and challenging media appearances, while Republicans often use such opportunities to present their positions directly to audiences. His remarks highlight ongoing concerns about transparency, accountability, and the willingness of political figures to defend their views outside controlled settings.
