PoliticsBill Maher Takes Aim at Zohran Mamdani, Calls Him a 'Straight-Up Communist'
Bill Maher slammed NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on 'Real Time,' calling him a 'straight-up communist.'
Feb. 12 2026, Published 5:00 a.m. ET
Bill Maher is not holding back when it comes to his political opinions.
On a recent episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the HBO host sharply criticized New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani. Maher’s comments, aired on Friday night, January 23, focused on what he views as the growing debate among Democrats regarding Mamdani's political stance.
Bill Maher criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on his HBO show.
In a monologue that began around the 7:20 mark, Maher stated, “Democrats seem to be having this debate about whether or not Mayor Mamdani is a socialist or a democratic socialist.”
He then made a bold declaration: “Let me settle it. He’s a straight-up communist.”
The host dismissed the debate over Zohran Mamdani’s ideology and labeled him a communist.
Maher supported his claim by referencing Mamdani's advisers, who suggested a need to “elect more communists.”
He argued that denial of this ideology is problematic.
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“Which is fine. It’s fine. It’s a belief system. He’s allowed to believe it, and people are allowed to vote for it,” Maher noted. However, he cautioned that if liberals refuse to acknowledge this truth, they risk losing more elections.
Bill Maher warned Democrats about ignoring political labels.
Expanding the discussion, Maher remarked on the extremes of American politics.
“This is not a communist country,” he emphasized, illustrating how voters feel trapped in a binary choice.
He remarked, “Really, the choices we get here are either the worst version of crony capitalism or communism.”
“Oh yeah — there’s a great campaign slogan for you,” he quipped, highlighting his skepticism.
Bill Maher cited comments from mayor's advisers to support his claim.
The segment concluded with Maher’s signature humor. “Honestly, as New York mayoral races go, I was less creeped out by Anthony Weiner’s d---,” he joked, a comment likely to generate mixed reactions.
