Late-night host Bill Maher stunned viewers as he heaped praise on Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a a ‘fantastic’ potential presidential candidate.
The comedian made the bombshell endorsement on his most recent podcast episode, Club Random, while diving into politics with comedian Patton Oswalt.
Maher said the New York congresswoman, known as AOC, would need some ‘deprogramming’ if she were to run for the White House, but said she could prove formidable against ‘out of touch Republicans.’
During the discussion Maher said, ‘Yeah, and if she had some deprogramming, she could be such a fantastic candidate.’
He caveated his claim by noting that Ocasio-Cortez has taken some stances that would not ‘resonate with people outside of the bubble that she lives in,’ and would need to moderate her views for a presidential run.
The show host then went on to say the New York Times, who he had been ‘squabbling’ with for the past decade, ‘put out a huge editorial’ agreeing with Maher’s belief that the progressive Democrat is ‘too far left’.
‘The only way Democrats will ever win again, not that the Republicans are probably even going to give it back, is to be more moderate,’ Maher said.
Oswalt pushed back on the host’s remarks, claiming that the country is ‘broken’ because US citizens believe the congresswoman is ‘too far left.’
Bill Maher stunned his podcast guest Patton Oswalt with the bombshell remark while diving into politics
Maher made the bombshell half-endorsement for Ocasio-Cortez on his most recent podcast episode
Maher responded that the country isn’t ‘necessarily broken’ because AOC may be too liberal for many voters, but admitted ‘it just shows how the country is not there.’
In a back-and-forth over AOC’s prospects, Oswalt backed the ‘Squad’ representative as he said the nation is not ‘evolved’ and ‘intelligent’ enough, claiming voters have been ‘freaking out’ since Barack Obama’s presidency.
The late-night host said ‘the left freaks out too,’ citing issues from gender and race to schools, crime, and the border.
This comes after the progressive New York lawmaker has been polling well in hypothetical 2028 primaries against other Democrats, with some reports saying she may instead vie for a potential Senate spot.
A Pew Research poll showed longtime Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer as the most unpopular top lawmaker on Capitol Hill, adding fuel to the rumors that the rising liberal star could be set to replace him.
The survey of 3,500 US adults showed that 50 percent of respondents hold an unfavorable view of Schumer.
A CNN poll revealed that Ocasio-Cortez is running 30 points ahead of Schumer for net favorability among New York Democrats.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has also not ruled out a run for president in 2028.
The pair sipped dark colored liquor as Oswalt rambled about Republicans trying to shame the congresswoman after a video of her partying went viral
Maher believes AOC is ‘never going to resonate with people outside of the bubble that she lives in’
The New York lawmaker has been polling well for a potential senate spot, and even the future presidential election
California Governor Gavin Newsom has also not ruled out a run for president in 2028
Trump was not surprised to hear that an Axios report said Ted Cruz may be paving the way for a presidential run
When asked if he was seriously considering a campaign for the White House, Newsom said: ‘Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I can’t do that.’
It’s the clearest indication thus far that the firebrand Democrat, and staunch political enemy of the Trump administration, has his eyes on the Oval Office in 2028.
And on Monday President Donald Trump reacted to an Axios report that Texas Senator Ted Cruz may be plotting a White House bid.
Trump said he was not surprised to hear that Cruz may be paving the way for a 2028 presidential run, saying: ‘It’s a little early. It’s three and a quarter years [away]. That’s a long time.
‘But he’s a very good guy. He is a very good friend of mine.’
