Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher predicted Republicans will suffer a decisive defeat in November's midterm elections, while cautioning that the Democratic Socialists of America could create a different set of problems for Democrats heading into the 2028 presidential race.
During an appearance on CNN's «Fareed Zakaria GPS» on Sunday, Maher said voters would use the midterms to punish President Donald Trump and his party before turning their attention to internal Democratic divisions ahead of the next presidential election. «It's going to be a classic historical a-- whooping,» he said. «Now, 2028 is a different story. The Democrats have a crazy animal living in their house called the DSA, and they believe truly insane things. And they're the energy of the party, and they're going to make Gaza a genocide, a litmus test, and a lot of other really stupid stuff.»
The White House rejected Maher's prediction in a statement to Fox News Digital, pointing to Trump's support within the Republican Party and arguing the president remained the GOP's strongest campaign asset. «No one can dispute the fact that President Trump has created one of the most robust coalitions in political history with the MAGA movement, and the President understands how to communicate with them,» White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said. «President Trump is the unequivocal leader, best messenger, and unmatched motivator for the Republican Party, and he is committed to maintaining Republican majorities in Congress.»
Maher attributed the GOP's potential midterm losses to Trump's second-term record, saying the president had become «drunk with power» and comparing the political dynamic to former President Joe Biden's handling of the Democratic Party's left flank. «Trump screwed the pooch,» he said. «That's what happened. He got drunk with power. This is the pattern in this country. Somebody gets elected. They go way too far with their side of things. Biden did it to a degree with wokeness, and he was too feeble to fight the far left.» He added: «Donald Trump went too far and his party will pay.»
The comments came as Republicans face significant polling headwinds with less than a month before Election Day. A Fox News poll found Democrats had a wider path to a House majority, with Democrats projected to win 215 seats compared with 201 for Republicans. That would leave Democrats needing three of the 19 toss-up races to secure a majority, while Republicans would need at least 17.
Trump dismissed the polling disadvantage while ramping up his campaign schedule. During a Saturday rally in Vandalia, Ohio, the president argued polling had not accounted for his ability to mobilize voters and urged supporters to approach the midterms as though he was personally on the ballot. «Just pretend that I'm running,» Trump said. «When I run, we win.»
The Democratic Party's socialist wing scored a series of primary victories and the organization's role in Democratic politics has received increased attention. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., renewed her DSA membership in August following a seven-year lapse as 2028 speculation continued over either a presidential bid or a challenge to veteran Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Ingle also cited Trump's record on taxes, border security, energy, employment and prescription drug costs as evidence that Republicans had a clear contrast to present to voters. «The choice has never been more clear: doubling down on President Trump's winning, commonsense agenda or the Democrats' extreme liberal policies and obstruction,» he said. Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment but did not immediately receive a response.