Comedian and host Bill Maher launched a pointed critique of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani during the October 20, 2023, episode of his HBO program, *Real Time with Bill Maher*. In a monologue that highlighted a growing debate among Democrats regarding Mamdani’s political ideology, Maher asserted that the candidate is “a straight-up communist.”
Maher’s remarks began around the 7:20 mark in the episode, where he framed his commentary around the discourse within the Democratic Party concerning Mamdani’s beliefs. He stated, “Democrats seem to be having this debate about whether or not Mayor Mamdani is a socialist or a democratic socialist.” Maher then confidently declared his assessment, stating, “Let me settle it. He’s a straight-up communist.”
The host anticipated potential criticisms of his conclusions and elaborated on his reasoning. He referenced comments made by one of Mamdani’s key advisers, who advocated for the election of more communists. Maher clarified that he did not have an issue with the ideology itself but rather with the denial some liberals exhibit about it. He remarked, “It’s fine. It’s a belief system. He’s allowed to believe it, and people are allowed to vote for it. But if liberals deny it, like he’s just going through a goth phase, they’re going to lose more elections.”
Maher’s Broader Commentary on Extremes in Politics
Expanding on his critique, Maher argued that American politics has devolved into a contest of extremes. He emphasized that the political landscape does not reflect a balanced perspective, stating, “This is not a communist country,” and lamented the “pendulum never lands in the middle” problem. He expressed concern that voters are often faced with stark and unappealing choices, suggesting that the options boil down to “either the worst version of crony capitalism or communism.”
Maher illustrated this point with a hypothetical campaign slogan, jokingly referencing a radical proposal that would “impoverish the white middle class.” He quipped, “Oh yeah — there’s a great campaign slogan for you,” underscoring his skepticism toward extreme political rhetoric.
As is typical for Maher’s style, the monologue concluded with an unsettling joke, remarking, “Honestly, as New York mayoral races go, I was less creeped out by Anthony Weiner’s dick.” This humorous yet pointed commentary is likely to resonate across the political spectrum, ensuring that Mamdani’s name remains a topic of discussion in the lead-up to the mayoral election.
Now in its 24th season, *Real Time with Bill Maher* continues to air new episodes every Friday at 22:00 ET on HBO, providing a platform for Maher’s candid and often controversial political commentary.
