Bill Maher says AOC could be a ‘fantastic’ POTUS candidate if she undergoes ‘deprogramming’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bill Maher declared that Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) could become a formidable presidential candidate, but only if she undergoes what he termed political ‘deprogramming’.

The host made the remarks on his ‘Club Random’ podcast on Monday, November 17, during a segment with comedian Patton Oswalt.

Maher’s comments point to the deep ideological split inside the Democratic Party. This divide has increasingly shaped national politics and opened the door for Republicans, including President Donald Trump, to appeal to voters who feel disconnected from progressive messaging.

Bill Maher says AOC needs ‘deprogramming’

During the conversation, Maher acknowledged Ocasio-Cortez’s political strengths but argued that her positions sit too far outside the mainstream for a national campaign. "If she had some deprogramming, she could be such a fantastic candidate, he said while speaking with Oswalt in the podcast studio.

He added that the congresswoman "is never going to resonate with people outside of the bubble she lives in." Maher pointed to what he described as the 'very far left' identity that defines her public image, isolating her from the concerns of average Americans.

Maher’s diagnosis of the party's challenges did not stop with Ocasio-Cortez. He referenced a recent New York Times editorial calling for Democrats to embrace moderation, saying the message echoed concerns he has raised for years.

The host suggested the party’s leftward drift has created a significant opening for Republicans. Voters who feel left behind by progressive policies on the economy, public safety, and the border are increasingly looking for alternatives, a trend that has bolstered support for Trump.

This 'deprogramming' concept, as Maher put it, would require Ocasio-Cortez and her allies to abandon rigid ideological tests and reconnect with the political center, a place Maher believes the party has willfully forgotten. 

Bill Maher and Patton Oswalt clash over Democrats’ direction

Oswalt countered that dismissing Ocasio Cortez shows how polarized the country has become, calling her policies a reflection of younger voters’ energy. Maher replied that the challenge for Democrats is not polarization but misalignment with the majority, adding that the far left has pushed many issues “too far, too fast.”

He said Democrats are losing ground by “freaking out” over debates involving gender identity, education, and parental rights - issues that have helped Republicans gain momentum. Maher said the party must reconnect with independents and moderates if it hopes to compete nationally.

Maher's argument underscored a broader trend that has benefited Republicans and strengthened President Donald Trump’s standing with voters who want clearer positions on economic stability, public safety, and border policy.

His comments suggested that Ocasio-Cortez’s national appeal will ultimately depend on whether Democrats adjust their message in the months ahead.