Behind the billowy facade-covering tarp that yet still covers the original name of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, the Center’s Concert Hall lit up in laughter during Bill Maher’s remarks as he received the 27th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday evening.
The prize, named in honor of the great American humorist, was awarded at a gala performance that featured a set of Maher’s friends in politics and comedy, including Whitney Cummings, Louis C.K., Woody Harrelson, Arianna Huffington, Stephen A. Smith, and Jay Leno, rounded out with a live performance by John Mellencamp.
Maher and his fellow comedians ripped jokes and traded kind words against the backdrop of the dramatic controversies swirling around the event (and storied institution). Maher had been named as the recipient of the prestigious award earlier this year; however, in March, The Atlantic reported that the Trump administration might not have been in favor of the choice. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that “This is fake news. Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award.”
The Kennedy Center soon after confirmed that Maher indeed would be honored with the prize.
“I’m kinda like Mark Twain,” Maher joked on the red carpet before the show. On stage, Maher spoke to his ability to parse social discourse and current events, honing his craft on HBO, and now in front of the eager live audience looking for him to skewer the administration in real time — which he largely shied away from.
Instead, he spent much of his time philosophizing about his impact and oeuvre, sticking it to those in power regardless of where they might sit or who they represent, and thanking “the haters” — even though it might have caused him to win just one of the 42 Emmy nominations he’s received. Maher also styled himself after Toto from The Wizard of Oz, saying that he “pulls back the curtain and exposes anyone who is a phony.”
After receiving the award from friend, fellow comedian, and fellow recipient Leno, Maher was briefly shouted down by a man who sounded just like President Trump, the comedian and impersonator Matt Friend, who quickly joined Maher on stage as the two traded jokes.
The most pointed barbs came from opener Cummings, who kicked off the program with a light roast of Maher and Trump. “BIll has been in a very committed, very toxic relationship with the United States. He’s a warrior for free speech — especially when someone is mid-sentence,” she said. She also suggested that given President Trump is Kennedy Center Chair, that future audiences would “enjoy a three-month run of “‘White Hamilton‘”
Maher was also preceded by close friend Harrelson, who took a more complimentary tone. He also mentioned the weed dispensary he co-owns with Maher and the quality of its product. Marijuana was a through line among the other speakers, like ESPN’s Smith, who spoke about appearing on Maher’s podcast high, and Leno, who spoke directly to Maher: “You are what you smoke.”
Beyond the event controversy, the future of the center hangs precariously in the balance. Trump, who remarkably still serves as the center’s chairman, had attempted to amend the institution’s name to include his own, and announced July 5 as the date the venue would close for major renovations. In a filing in May, a federal judge lambasted the Trump administration’s efforts to change the name, calling it illegal, and blocked the administration from closing the Kennedy Center for the two-year renovation. The center has appealed the decision. The calendar after the Twain prize event remains scant, counting just one more event in the Concert Hall, and a handful of free classic outdoor film showings on the lawn. There are no scheduled events in August and beyond.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose wife sits on the Kennedy Center board and who stood glittering by his side, said that the Board should ultimately decide the fate of the building, but that Trump might play a role as well. “The president is not only commander in chief but he’s the builder in chief.”
Though only an impersonator joined Maher on stage, the real Trump and Maher have a long history. In 2013, Trump filed a lawsuit against Maher for breach of contract around an off-color comment on The Tonight Show. The two also met at a White House dinner in 2025 facilitated by Kid Rock. Earlier this year, Trump posted on Truth Social that it was a “total waste of time” to meet Maher. And on Friday night, Maher welcomed Vice President JD Vance to his HBO talk show, Real Time. While Maher noted that he could vote for either a Democrat or Republican in 2028, he also castigated Vance for Trump’s refusal to concede in 2020.
Maher got his start as a standup comedian in 1979, he rose to prominence by becoming the host of Politically Incorrect on Comedy Central and ABC from 1993 to 2002. He has hosted Real Time for more than 20 years. He’s not a stranger to awards either, having a stash of 42 Emmys nominations. Maher has also written five books, including most recently, What This Comedian Said Will Shock You. And in 2022, Maher took himself to new media and launched a podcast, that often goes viral for the wrong reasons, Club Random with Bill Maher.
Despite Maher’s penchant for political guests on his various platforms, a sole senator was in attendance on Sunday, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. On the red carpet, Fetterman acknowledged similar infrastructure-related issues around the city. “I don’t know why people were talking about algae… things are much more important to focus on than the name on building here. And I would never boycott [the center].
Aside from Maher and Leno, other comedians who have received the lifetime achievement award include O’Brien last year, as well as Dave Chappelle, Will Ferrell, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Tina Fey, Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Jon Stewart.
The Mark Twain Prize ceremony will be streamed on Netflix on July 21.
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