Bill Maher is Kennedy Center’s latest Mark Twain award recipient Bill Maher, the comedian whose relationship with President Donald Trump has veered between friendly and antagonistic, will be the 27th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the first Twain Prize recipient chosen under Trump’s leadership — despite the fact that, just last week, the White House flatly denied this to be true.#white_house #kennedy_center #president_donald_trump #bill_maher #mark_twain_prize
Bill Maher to Receive Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Despite White House Denial Bill Maher will be honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the Kennedy Center, the organization announced Thursday, contradicting recent claims from the White House that the comedian would not receive the award. The decision came less than a week after the Trump administration dismissed reports of Maher’s potential win, with White House communications director Steven Cheung labeling the news as “literally FAKE NEWS” on social media. The Kennedy Center, which has presented the award since 1998, described the honor as recognizing individuals who have significantly contributed to humor and public commentary in the United States. Maher, a long-time critic of political figures, including former President Donald Trump, was cited by the center as someone who has “influenced American discourse — one politically incorrect joke at a time.” In a statement, Maher humorously remarked that he “just had the award explained to me, and apparently it’s like an Emmy, except I win.” The announcement followed a report by The Atlantic that Maher would be the recipient, prompting a strong rebuttal from the White House. While the administration initially denied the claim, it did not issue a formal statement on Thursday. The Kennedy Center confirmed the award would be presented on June 28, just days before Trump plans to close the venue for renovations expected to last two years. The president has since exerted significant control over the institution, replacing its leadership and naming himself chairman of the board. The award ceremony coincides with ongoing legal challenges stemming from Trump’s decision to add his name to the Kennedy Center and approve its closure.#kennedy_center #bill_maher #trump_administration #mark_twain_prize #steven_cheung
Bill Maher to Receive Mark Twain Prize at Kennedy Center Despite White House Denial TV host Bill Maher will be honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the Kennedy Center, the institution announced on Thursday. The decision comes days after the White House dismissed reports of the comedian receiving the award, calling the news “fake news.” Maher is set to accept the honor on June 28, the day before the Kennedy Center closes for a two-year renovation. The center has faced declining attendance and cancellations from performers due to President Donald Trump’s restructuring of the organization, which included a controversial name change. Maher, known for his HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” has long been a vocal critic of Trump’s policies. In a statement, he humorously remarked on the award, comparing it to an Emmy, and paid tribute to Mark Twain, noting the writer’s frequent removal from school libraries. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously denied the reports, stating, “Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award.” The Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, Roma Daravi, highlighted Maher’s influence on American discourse, calling his work “politically incorrect” and emphasizing his decades-long impact on comedy. The Mark Twain Prize, established to recognize excellence in humor, has previously been awarded to comedians such as Steve Martin, Tina Fey, Billy Crystal, Jon Stewart, and Adam Sandler. The award ceremony, typically held at the Kennedy Center, usually features a gala for entertainers and comedians. Maher’s relationship with Trump has been contentious. The two met in 2025 at the White House, arranged by entertainer Kid Rock, but their dynamic has remained strained.#white_house #kennedy_center #bill_maher #romas_daravi #mark_twain_prize
