Bill Maher blasts California Democrats, points to Mississippi NAEP results and Texas solar energy gains
On May 29, 2026, Bill Maher used his Real Time monologue to argue Democrats are failing on education and green energy — citing Mississippi’s NAEP gains and Texas’s rapid utility-scale solar growth as proof of that shortfall.
- Maher highlighted NAEP results and energy data, citing coverage summarized at WFMD and the Washington Examiner.
- NAEP snapshots showed large gaps in fourth-grade reading and math for Black students between Mississippi and California.
- Texas outpaced California in utility-scale solar deployment in 2024–25, though California retains a lead when rooftop and small-scale systems are included.
What Maher said on Real Time
During the May 29 show Maher framed his remarks as coming from a commenter who largely aligns with Democratic values but sees serious policy failures. He told viewers,
“Democrats, these are your issues: education, race, the environment … and I say this with love: you’re losing to the Waffle House, car-on-the-lawn states.”
Maher singled out California and Mississippi on education: “Did you know that a Black fourth grader in Mississippi is two and a half times as likely to be proficient in math and reading as one in California?” and added, “Mississippi is kicking our a– in education and for way less money. We’re 37th in fourth-grade reading. They’re ninth.” (Reporting summarized at WFMD and the Washington Examiner.)
The NAEP data Maher cited
Maher’s education claims trace to a summary of 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) state snapshots. The NAEP is a widely used national assessment; the specific figures highlighted for Black fourth-graders were:
- Reading: Mississippi 19% proficient, 2% advanced; California 7% proficient, 1% advanced.
- Math: Mississippi 22% proficient, 2% advanced; California 10% proficient, 1% advanced.
Those numbers underpin Maher’s “two and a half times” line. Coverage detailing those NAEP results was relayed in the same reporting (see WFMD).
Why Mississippi shows gains
Researchers and reporters point to several policy moves likely tied to early reading improvement in Mississippi:
- Adoption of phonics-based “science of reading” curricula and structured literacy efforts.
- Third-grade “reading gate” laws requiring students to meet benchmarks or receive targeted remediation.
- Investments in teacher coaching and the use of assessment data to drive interventions.
These reforms targeted early literacy and appear to have produced measurable gains on the NAEP, despite Mississippi’s lower starting baseline (reporting summarized at WFMD).
Green energy: Texas vs. California
Maher’s second line of attack focused on clean-energy deployment. He cited figures showing Texas produced more utility-scale solar generation in 2025 than California — reported numbers roughly 58,634 GWh for Texas versus 53,713 GWh for California — and that Texas surpassed California in installed utility-scale solar capacity in 2024. Those statistics were drawn from U.S. Energy Information Administration figures as relayed in secondary coverage (see WFMD and the Washington Examiner).
Analysts note a key distinction: when small-scale solar (rooftop panels, distributed systems) is included, California still leads in total solar capacity and generation. Maher focused on large, utility-scale projects — which often hinge on permitting speed, transmission upgrades and siting rules — areas where Texas’s looser regulations have enabled faster build-out.
Political framing and why Maher’s critique matters
Maher’s message: Democrats emphasize education, racial equity and climate. If outcomes lag, he argues, Democrats should be held accountable rather than only debating curriculum and culture. This theme echoes his earlier segments chronicled by outlets including Hollywood In Toto and The Daily Wire.
Limitations and nuance in the data
The statistics Maher cited align with the NAEP snapshots, but several caveats are important to note:
- The comparison focuses on a single grade (4th) and one racial subgroup (Black students); other grades and groups may differ.
- NAEP’s “proficient” threshold is a high bar and does not map directly to state test scores or local benchmarks.
- California and Mississippi differ in population size, poverty rates and shares of English learners — factors that affect outcomes and interpretation.
These limits do not erase Mississippi’s gains on early literacy for Black students, but they do underscore that this is one indicator among many when judging system performance (reporting summarized at WFMD).
Implications for Redding, California
Local leaders in Redding may see direct and indirect effects from the national conversation Maher amplified. Practical implications include:
Economic impact
Lower proficiency in reading and math can affect long-term workforce readiness. For Redding, that may mean a smaller local talent pool for employers, increased recruitment costs, or greater pressure to automate roles. Improving K–12 outcomes could attract employers and raise incomes.
Political consequences
Voters may demand accountability. In Redding, conservative-leaning residents favor school choice, stronger literacy standards, and accountability measures similar to reforms credited with helping Mississippi — ideas that could shape school board contests.
Social effects
Parents are likely to scrutinize NAEP headlines. Expect increased calls for transparent reading benchmarks, tutoring, summer literacy camps, and targeted interventions — driving demand for private tutors, charters, or district programs.
Cultural relevance
Maher’s framing — that blue-state leaders sometimes fall short on delivery despite strong rhetoric about equity and climate — resonates in Redding’s conservative circles. Leaders emphasizing practical results may find receptive voters for literacy and permitting reforms.
Practical applications
Local officials can study Mississippi’s early-literacy moves — phonics-based curricula, teacher coaching, third-grade checkpoints — as potential models. On energy, faster permitting and clearer siting rules can accelerate projects; Redding could evaluate zoning and permitting to attract utility-scale or distributed solar for jobs and resilience (see reporting at WFMD and the Washington Examiner).
Reporting next steps
More rigorous analysis would drill into original 2024 NAEP datasets, compare other grades and demographic groups, and assess long-term trends to show whether the fourth-grade Black-student comparison reflects broader system performance. Local leaders should pursue data-driven plans to translate headlines into targeted policy changes (reporting sources below).
Sources and reporting
This account draws on reporting that summarized Maher’s May 29 show and the underlying data. Key sources include coverage at WFMD and the Washington Examiner, which relayed a New York Times summary of 2024 NAEP results and energy data. Additional context on Maher’s earlier education critiques is available from Hollywood In Toto and The Daily Wire.
