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
Judge Rules Kennedy Center Must Allow Rep. Joyce Beatty to Attend Board Meeting A federal judge has ruled that the Kennedy Center must provide Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) a “meaningful opportunity” to participate in the institution’s upcoming board meeting, though she will not be allowed to vote. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, addresses Beatty’s claim that she was excluded from the March 16 session despite being an ex officio board member. Her legal team later admitted the invitation was sent to her email spam folder, prompting the lawsuit. Cooper’s 37-page ruling emphasized that federal law prohibits the categorical exclusion of a trustee from critical decision-making processes. The judge noted that denying Beatty access to information or her right to voice dissent on a major vote—such as one involving the closure and potential rebuilding of the Kennedy Center—would be rare and unjust. However, the court stopped short of granting her full voting rights, stating the legal basis for such a right was unclear. “While her statutory arguments are persuasive,” Cooper wrote, “the question whether the statute provides a right to vote is not clearcut.” The ruling does not block the Kennedy Center’s planned closure or renaming, which was announced by President Trump and his allies. The center, now called the Trump Kennedy Center, has undergone significant changes since Trump’s return to the presidency, including a restructured board. Trump recently shared updated renovation plans on social media, citing the need for modernization. In a statement, Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president of public relations, confirmed that Beatty was invited to the meeting and is welcome to attend.#kennedy_center #judge_christopher_cooper #rep_joyce_beatty #trump_kennedy_center #romas_daravi
