Maher admitted he once backed a hardline move against Iran but said the MAGA base rejected the resulting war posture. He described the conflict as stalled and noted Trump has since shifted rhetoric toward blockading rather than apocalyptic threats.
In a January 2025 interview with Elex Michaelson Maher urged Democrats to concentrate on everyday costs and affordability instead of culture wars. He also blamed heavy handed ICE raids for damaging Trump on immigration, and warned the party must evolve or face decline.