:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bill-maher-111725-4fd1573fa5e94386b70018a932fe843c.jpg "Bill Maher warns Democrats to tell celebs to 'shut the f--- up' if they want to get elected: 'You...")
The &34;Real Time&34; host says most of the country doesn't see stars as &34;in touch with reality.&34; Bill Maher warns Democrats to tell celebs to 'shut the f up' if they want to get elected: 'You're not helping' The &34;Real Time&34; host says most of the country doesn't see stars as &34;in touch with reality.&34; By Raechal Shewfelt :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RaechalShewfeltauthorphotoc49d3a3b6aa442f588f2bbc0de804e09.jpg) Raechal Shewfelt Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at . She has been working at EW since 2024.
The "Real Time" host says most of the country doesn't see stars as "in touch with reality."
Bill Maher warns Democrats to tell celebs to 'shut the f--- up' if they want to get elected: 'You're not helping'
The "Real Time" host says most of the country doesn't see stars as "in touch with reality."
By Raechal Shewfelt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Raechal-Shewfelt-author-photo-c49d3a3b6aa442f588f2bbc0de804e09.jpg)
Raechal Shewfelt
Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.
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January 30, 2026 9:20 a.m. ET
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Bill Maher in May 2024. Credit:
Rick Kern/WireImage
Bill Maher has some advice for Democrats if they want to win at the ballot box.
"Hollywood [is] sort of the epicenter of the woke left. I don't think they're doing the Democratic party any favors," the host of HBO's *Real Time* recently told the new *California Post*. "I think if Democrats want to win elections in the future, job one, tell the celebrities to 'Just shut the f--- up. You're not helping. You don't strike people in most of the country as sensible or in touch with reality.'"**
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Maher, who lives in Beverly Hills, Calif., said he would like to see a more balanced government in the Golden State, which is politically blue.
"California could stand for a lot more centrist policies," Maher said. "It's just not a good thing when one party completely controls anything. That's certainly true of the Republicans also, who are drunk with power in Washington, overstepping their bounds and doing things that are now making them unpopular. I would love to see both sides marginalize their crazies."
Many celebrities have recently made their thoughts clear about about the government, whether through changing song lyrics, wearing anti-ICE pins, or meeting with President Trump.**
Sydney Sweeney insists she won't ever talk about her personal politics
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'Melania' doc pulled from theaters in South Africa amid tension between the country, Donald Trump
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Not that Maher, whose talk show began its 24th season this month, isn't aware of the current political climate.
He noted in a November episode of his *Club Random* podcast that the divisiveness had contributed to his decision to stop touring as a stand-up comic.
"I feel like it was a great choice, because I don't want to be out there in this country in this political atmosphere," Maher said in an episode with comedian Patton Oswalt. "I could get shot by the left or the right. I mean, it's just, it's a good time to not be out there."
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Bill Maher hosting 'Real Time'.
In April, he also commented on a column that *Curb Your Enthusiasm* star and creator Larry David had written about Maher meeting with Trump the previous month. Published in the *New York Times*, "My Dinner With Adolf" recounted someone meeting with a powerful man they had criticized previously and finding him much more likable in person.**
"I don't want to make this constantly personal with me and Larry," Maher, who thought the Hitler reference went too far, said on *Piers Morgan Uncensored*. "I mean, we might be friends again. I don't know."
*Real Time With Bill Maher* airs Fridays on HBO.**
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Source: "EW News"
Source: News
Published: January 30, 2026 at 09:57AM on Source: PRIME TIME
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