Bill Maher accuses Democrats of tolerating religion only when it isn’t Jewish

During a televised interview, Bill Maher ridiculed the Democratic Party, asserting that it welcomes a candidate’s public faith only when it isn’t Jewish, a remark prompted by a discussion of Texas Democrat James Talarico’s outspoken Christianity. Maher repeated the line, insisting it reflected reality, while citing Pew Research Center data that a large share of Democrats now hold unfavorable opinions of Israel, up from earlier years.

He noted that Democratic figures such as Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and Twitch streamer Hasan Piker have voiced anti-Israel sentiments. When asked for comment, Sam Markstein, the Republican Jewish Coalition’s national political director, agreed with Maher, claiming the GOP remains the sole party where Jews can be openly proud and pro-Israel. Markstein also criticized Democratic leadership, referencing Kamala Harris’s decision to bypass Josh Shapiro in 2024 and alleging a rise in antisemitic rhetoric within the party. The Democratic National Committee did not respond to requests for comment.