Maher Criticizes Dems for Failing to Address Homelessness

Comedian says Democrats lack the 'balls' to remove homeless from sidewalks and get them into shelters, leading to deaths.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:14am

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On his HBO show 'Real Time,' host Bill Maher criticized Democrats for not being willing to remove homeless individuals from sidewalks and get them into shelters, even as he said dozens of homeless people died on the streets during a harsh winter. Maher argued that Democrats lack the 'guts' to address homelessness due to concerns about compassion and regulations, leading to preventable deaths.

Why it matters

Maher's comments reflect an ongoing debate around how to address homelessness, with some arguing for more aggressive interventions while others prioritize individual rights and liberties. The issue has become politically charged, with Maher suggesting Democrats are unwilling to take tough stances out of fear of backlash.

The details

Maher said that dozens of homeless people died on the streets of New York City during a recent harsh winter, and argued that Democrats should have the 'balls' to remove them from sidewalks and get them into shelters. He claimed Democrats lack the 'guts' to build more shelters due to regulations, leading to the preventable deaths.

  • During a recent harsh winter in the eastern U.S.

The players

Bill Maher

Host of the HBO political talk show 'Real Time with Bill Maher'.

Josh Shapiro

Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, who responded to Maher's comments.

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What they’re saying

“It was a rough winter back east, and I read — I can't remember what the number now is — but it was approaching like 30 people, homeless people who died in New York freezing on the sidewalk, and it just made me think, why can't the Democrats just have the balls to say, well, one, the sidewalk is not for you, for anybody, it's public, it's public. And, just for compassion's sake, we're going to make you get off the street and into a shelter. Why can't we even build shelters? And that's what I think people look at. They say, Democratic-run cities, they can't even do that, and people died for it.”

— Bill Maher, Host, 'Real Time with Bill Maher'

The takeaway

Maher's comments highlight the ongoing political tensions around homelessness, with some arguing for more aggressive interventions while others prioritize individual rights. The issue remains divisive, with Maher suggesting Democrats are unwilling to take tough stances due to fears of backlash.