“Real Time” host Bill Maher is not rallying behind Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, as the Democratic nominee in 2028.

Maher started the panel discussion on Friday by mentioning how influential figures like the members of the “Squad” and Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont have been drawing large crowds to their rallies focused on combating oligarchy nationwide. This statement was met with enthusiastic applause from one of the audience members. 

“Thank you,” Maher reacted to the audience member. “There’s that same guy, I call him the ‘always wrong’ guy – I’m kidding.”

He expressed his view that big crowds should not be the sole focus for Democrats, suggesting that they tend to be distracted by such attention-grabbing events. Maher highlighted the importance of not just speaking to large audiences at events like festivals, mentioning Bernie Sanders’ appearance at Coachella as an example. He emphasized that what truly matters is who shows up to vote on Election Day, rather than the size of rally crowds.

He took a knock towards the 25-hour marathon speech given by Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, as Democrats “whacking each other off.”

Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota offered support for Booker’s passionate speech on the Senate floor, stating that it had energized their party. However, she also acknowledged that Democrats need to undertake significant efforts to regain the trust and support of voters.

“And you don’t really think AOC should be the candidate, do you?” Maher asked. 

“It’s not my job to pick who the candidate is going to be,” Smith responded.

“Oh, it’s mine,” Maher quipped. “And it’s not – it shouldn’t be her. It shouldn’t be her.”

Ocasio-Cortez has seen a surge in recent Democratic primary polls, placing second to former Vice President Kamala Harris in one.

Prominent pollster Nate Silver said this week that she’s currently the most likely candidate to win the Democratic nomination in 2028, although Ocasio-Cortez has not indicated she’s running for president.

Earlier in the show, Maher pointed to the viral moment from an AOC-Sanders rally where anti-Israel protesters dropped a “Free Palestine” banner over the American flag and were ejected by police, prompting rallygoers to chant “Free Palestine” and halt Sanders’ speech. 

“I kind of worry that that’s where the Democratic Party is, that this is their next stupid hill to die on,” Maher said. “So the chant of ‘Free Palestine,’ free from whom I would like to ask. Do they realize who is really the people who are enslaving the people of Palestine?”

“If those moronic people had any knowledge, they would say ‘Free Palestine from Hamas,’” Post columnist Douglas Murray responded to an agreeing Maher. “At the very least, they would do that.”

At another point in the show, Maher mocked Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her awkward moment last week where she tried to hide her face behind a folder while in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump.

The two-term governor of a swing state, Whitmer is widely seen as a possible 2028 candidate.

“We need a better Democrat than that,” Maher said.