UPDATE: On the latest episode of “Real Time” airing on October 31, 2025, host Bill Maher raised alarming concerns about the future of the Democratic Party, likening it to the once-mighty department store, Sears. Maher warned that the party risks becoming a “ghost brand,” echoing the decline of Sears, which was once a staple of American retail.
Maher emphasized the significance of this comparison during his show, stating, “The cautionary tale of the ghost brand applies not only to business but also to politics. I fear the Democratic Party is at risk of becoming a ghost brand too.” He described a ghost brand as “a company or store that, like Sears, still exists, but only as a pathetic shell of its former self.”
The comedian pointed out that at its peak, Sears accounted for 1% of the entire U.S. economy and dominated the appliance market with 41% of the sales. However, Maher lamented that now, the Democratic Party faces its lowest approval ratings in 35 years, with a staggering 63% unfavorable rating among voters. “What happened? I don’t know. What happened to Sears?” he questioned, invoking the nostalgia associated with the brand’s past relevance.
Maher articulated that the Democrats once held significant power in Congress and the Supreme Court but have since faltered. He criticized the party for failing to connect with the American public, similar to how Sears lost touch with its customers, stating, “Did we love Sears? No. But that was beside the point. You just went.”
In a further critique, Maher referenced another fading icon, Playboy, which he argued has also strayed from its successful formula. “Like the Democratic Party, Playboy decided they didn’t need straight men anymore,” Maher remarked. He claimed this shift led to a decline in readership, paralleling the Democratic Party’s struggle to retain its core voter base.
The host’s remarks come at a critical juncture for the Democratic Party as strategists reportedly scramble for solutions to improve polling numbers, even to the extent of “praying” for a depression, according to a report from The Hill.
As Maher continued his analysis, he drew a humorous but pointed analogy to Barneys, another once-prominent retail brand that filed for bankruptcy in 2019. He quipped, “After Barneys closed for good in 2020, it became, yes, a spirit Halloween.” His message was clear: “Democrats need to get their s— together because America needs two political parties, not one party and one Halloween store.”
As these discussions unfold, all eyes are on the Democratic Party’s response and potential strategies to regain relevance in an increasingly competitive political landscape. The urgency for revitalization is palpable, and Maher’s comments have sparked a renewed conversation about the party’s future as it navigates these turbulent times.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
