On Friday night, comedian Bill Maher took a spotlight to what he perceived as the Democratic Party’s inconsistent stance on religion, humorously noting that a candidate’s display of faith seems acceptable—unless that faith happens to be Jewish.
This segment followed an interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash, who addressed Texas Democrat James Talarico’s unabashed Christianity during “Real Time.” She remarked on how Talarico is vocal about his religious beliefs, considering it a potential asset in his political endeavors.
Maher responded sharply, quipping, “In the Democratic Party, it seems as long as you’re professing any faith other than Jewish, you’re in the clear.”
Bash, in agreement, simply added, “Well, you said it.”
To this, Maher quickly followed up with, “Indeed, I did, because it reflects the reality!”
Pew Research Center polling shows 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (80%) hold an unfavorable view of Israel, up sharply from 53% in 2022.
At the same time, 41% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents surveyed hold a negative view of the Jewish state.
Fifty-eight percent of those right-leaning voters have a positive view.
The Democratic Party has also put forth a series of candidates, personalities and elected officials who espouse anti-Israel beliefs, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has repeatedly criticized Israel.
When reached for comment Saturday, Sam Markstein, Republican Jewish Coalition national political director and spokesman, agreed with Maher and spoke of the GOP as the only party still willing to accommodate Jewish people who are proud of their identity and support of Israel.
“It’s a rare occasion when we agree with Bill Maher, but he’s right: there is only one party where American Jews can be proudly Jewish and loudly pro-Israel, and it’s the Republican Party,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Democrats prove it again and again — from Kamala Harris passing over Josh Shapiro in 2024 to the rise of communist elected officials who traffic in antisemitism in halls of power across the country,” he continued.
“The Democratic Party is being remade by its radicalized base, and party leadership continues to fecklessly whistle past the political graveyard as American Jews flee.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Democratic National Committee for comment but did not immediately hear back.