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Bill Maher blasts Democratic Party, says it is fine with religion 'as long as that faith isn’t Jewish'
By Taylor Penley
Published August 22, 2026
Comedian Bill Maher took aim at what he portrayed as the Democratic Party’s double standard on religion Friday, quipping that a candidate’s public faith is welcome "as long as that faith isn’t Jewish."
The segment aired after CNN anchor Dana Bash discussed Texas Democrat James Talarico’s outspoken Christianity during a segment on "Real Time," saying he "wears his faith on his sleeve" in a way Talarico believes could help him.
"Well, in the Democratic Party, as long as that faith isn’t Jewish, you’re good," Maher retorted.
Bill Maher visits "The Megyn Kelly Show" at the SiriusXM Studios May 20, 2024 in New York City. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)
"Well, you said it." Bash replied.
Maher then interjected, "Yeah, I said it because it's true!"
A large percentage of the Democratic Party now holds an unfavorable view of Israel. (iStock)
Pew Research Center polling shows 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (80%) hold an unfavorable view of Israel, up sharply from 53% in 2022.
At the same time, 41% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents surveyed hold a negative view of the Jewish state. Fifty-eight percent of those right-leaning voters have a positive view.
Sherry Colvin of Arlington, Va., holds an Israeli flag while praying and dancing before a Philos Project Oct. 7 memorial rally at the Washington Monument on Oct. 7, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)
The Democratic Party has also put forth a series of candidates, personalities and elected officials who espouse anti-Israel beliefs, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has repeatedly criticized Israel.
When reached for comment Saturday, Sam Markstein, Republican Jewish Coalition national political director and spokesman, agreed with Maher and spoke of the GOP as the only party still willing to accommodate Jewish people who are proud of their identity and support of Israel.
"It’s a rare occasion when we agree with Bill Maher, but he’s right: there is only one party where American Jews can be proudly Jewish and loudly pro-Israel, and it’s the Republican Party," he told Fox News Digital.
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"Democrats prove it again and again — from Kamala Harris passing over Josh Shapiro in 2024 to the rise of communist elected officials who traffic in antisemitism in halls of power across the country," he continued.
"The Democratic Party is being remade by its radicalized base, and party leadership continues to fecklessly whistle past the political graveyard as American Jews flee."
Fox News Digital reached out to the Democratic National Committee for comment but did not immediately hear back.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-maher-blasts-democratic-party-says-fine-religion-as-long-faith-isnt-jewish