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
