Bill Maher blasts CA education system, claims Mississippi is ‘kicking our a--’

May 31, 2026 - 12:47

Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher took aim at California's education system during a recent episode of his HBO show "Real Time," arguing that the state has fallen behind in key areas. Maher specifically pointed to Mississippi, a state often ranked near the bottom nationally, as now outperforming California in educational outcomes. "Mississippi is kicking our a--," Maher said, drawing a sharp contrast between the two states' academic performance.

Maher, a longtime critic of progressive governance, did not stop at education. He also targeted California's green energy policies, claiming that Texas is "blowing away" the Golden State in renewable energy production. Despite California's reputation as a leader in environmental initiatives, Maher argued that Texas has outpaced it in practical implementation, particularly in wind and solar power.

The remarks sparked immediate debate online, with some defending California's broader economic and environmental achievements while others agreed that the state's public schools need serious reform. Maher's critique comes amid ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of Democratic leadership in heavily blue states, especially as red states like Mississippi and Texas show unexpected gains in traditionally progressive areas. The segment underscored Maher's willingness to challenge his own party's base on issues he sees as failures of governance.