Bill Maher Honored With Twain Prize, Critiques Trump and Comedy

WHO:

CNN - Bill Maher received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

CNN - Woody Harrelson, a comedian and actor, made a quip during the event.

CNN - Guests included Louis C.K., Whitney Cummings, Jay Leno, and John Mellencamp.

Deadline - Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) were present at the event.

WHAT:

Fox News - Maher stated, “I loved it that they tried to block it,” referring to reports that the Trump administration attempted to prevent him from receiving the award.

Fox News - Maher mentioned on his podcast in late April that he would be accepting the award on June 28 "unless Trump f---s it up again, which is completely possible."

Fox News - Maher expressed gratitude, saying, "I’m just thankful" that the award ceremony was going to happen despite the attempts to block it.

Fox News - Workers removed Trump's name from the Kennedy Center facade in June after an appeals court denied a request from the Kennedy Center's board to block a judge's ruling that Trump's name be removed.

Fox News - John Mellencamp sang his hit "Pink Houses" at the event, referencing Trump's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

Fox News - Maher stated he had been nominated for over 40 Emmys but had never won, asking, "Is it something I said? It’s everything I said."

CNN - Maher noted during remarks on the red carpet, “This is the last show here for at least two years.”

CNN - Maher stated, “It is a beautiful building. They keep talking about how they need to renovate. It looks perfectly fine to me. I don’t see one thing that needs a single thing changed.”

CNN - Woody Harrelson quipped onstage, “Finally, an award from my dear friend, ironically at the Trump Kennedy Center. No — oh right, we fixed that.”

CNN - Jay Leno joked, “President Trump not happy about Bill getting this award. You think he’s mad now? Really, finds out next year the recipient is Bad Bunny.”

CNN - The Kennedy Center is facing challenges due to plummeting ticket sales, artist withdrawals, political controversies, and a diminished staff, making it difficult to restart a full-scale programming schedule.

CNN - Maher stated, “I’d rather be fighting and yelling — that’s his way of talking. I’d rather the channels be open; anything is better than the channels being shut off.”

CNN - Maher joked during his speech, “Believe me, when they asked me and called and said, ‘Would you accept this?’ I did not have to ask twice. Of course, after the president tried to get the show canceled, they actually did have to ask twice.”

CNN - Maher joined a list of past honorees that includes Richard Pryor, Carol Burnett, Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart, and Conan O’Brien.

CNN - The Kennedy Center is now faced with difficult financial choices after a judge ordered it to continue operating despite the planned renovation.

CNN - Maher stated, “It is a beautiful building. They keep talking about how they need to renovate. It looks perfectly fine to me. I don’t see one thing that needs a single thing changed.”

CNN - A judge ordered the Kennedy Center to remove Trump’s name from the building, which was added by the president’s handpicked board of trustees.

CNN - A tarp still covers the spot where Trump's name hung, leaving the removal hidden from public view.

CNN - Maher was interrupted during his acceptance speech by comedian Matt Friend portraying Trump, who joked, “Why are we giving this low-ratings, lightweight jerk the Mark Twain Award?”

CNN - Jay Leno joked about Trump’s reaction to Maher receiving the award, saying, “You think he’s mad now? Really, finds out next year the recipient is Bad Bunny.”

CNN - The Kennedy Center is facing a legal battle over Trump's efforts to overhaul it.

CNN - The Kennedy Center was set to temporarily close for a yearslong renovation.

CNN - Maher stated, “This is the last show here for at least two years.”

CNN - Maher joked about the award, saying, “Believe me, when they asked me and called and said, ‘Would you accept this?’ I did not have to ask twice.”

CNN - The 27th annual ceremony will premiere on Netflix on July 21.

WHERE:

CNN - The event took place at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

CNN - The Mark Twain Prize ceremony is the 27th annual event.

WHY:

CNN - Maher criticized the potential closure of the Kennedy Center and the ongoing legal issues surrounding it.

CNN - Maher emphasized the importance of comedy in a divided political environment, stating, “You want to not get mocked, stop being funny.”

HOW:

Fox News - During the event, Maher and impressionist Matt Friend performed a skit where Friend impersonated Trump, saying, "Why are we giving this low-ratings lightweight jerk the Mark Twain Award?"

CNN - Maher was interrupted during his acceptance speech by comedian Matt Friend portraying Trump, who joked, “Why are we giving this low-ratings, lightweight jerk the Mark Twain Award?”

CNN - Maher has been a target of Trump’s ire but dined with Trump at the White House in 2025, where he praised the president despite their tense relationship.

CNN - Maher accepted the award amid a backdrop of political controversy and legal challenges related to Trump’s influence over the Kennedy Center.

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 21:22 UTC)

Bill Maher recently expressed his gratitude for receiving the Mark Twain Award, despite attempts by the Trump administration to block the ceremony. On his podcast in late April, Maher humorously noted he would accept the award on June 28 "unless Trump f---s it up again, which is completely possible." During the event, Maher and impressionist Matt Friend entertained the audience with a skit where Friend impersonated Trump, quipping, "Why are we giving this low-ratings lightweight jerk the Mark Twain Award?"

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 16:17 UTC)

Workers have removed Trump's name from the Kennedy Center facade following a judge's ruling that was upheld by an appeals court. At the event, John Mellencamp performed his hit "Pink Houses," taking a jab at Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Meanwhile, Bill Maher humorously noted that despite being nominated for over 40 Emmys, he has never won, quipping, "Is it something I said? It’s everything I said."

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 10:19 UTC)

During a recent event, Bill Maher announced that this would be his last show at the venue for at least two years, expressing his admiration for the building's condition despite ongoing talks of renovations. Woody Harrelson humorously acknowledged the venue's name, referring to it as the "Trump Kennedy Center," while Jay Leno added a playful jab about President Trump potentially being upset over the award Maher received, especially with Bad Bunny set to be next year's recipient. Maher's acceptance speech took a comedic turn when he was interrupted by comedian Matt Friend, who impersonated Trump and questioned why Maher was receiving the Mark Twain Award.

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 08:36 UTC)

The Kennedy Center is currently grappling with significant challenges, including plummeting ticket sales, artist withdrawals, political controversies, and a reduced staff, which complicates efforts to resume a full-scale programming schedule. During his acceptance speech for the Mark Twain Award, Bill Maher humorously remarked that he didn't hesitate to accept the honor, especially after President Trump attempted to have his show canceled, and he was interrupted by comedian Matt Friend impersonating Trump, who quipped about Maher's ratings. Maher now joins a prestigious group of past honorees that features notable figures like Richard Pryor, Carol Burnett, Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart, and Conan O’Brien.

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 06:27 UTC)

The Kennedy Center is facing tough financial decisions after a judge ordered it to continue operations despite a planned renovation, and also mandated the removal of Trump’s name from the building, which had been added by his board of trustees. Comedian Bill Maher, who has been a target of Trump’s criticism, expressed his disbelief over the need for renovations, stating that the building looks perfectly fine to him, while a tarp currently covers the spot where Trump’s name once hung. During Maher's acceptance speech for the Mark Twain Award, he was humorously interrupted by comedian Matt Friend impersonating Trump, who quipped about Maher’s recognition, while Jay Leno joked about Trump’s potential reaction to next year's recipient being Bad Bunny.

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 04:18 UTC)

Bill Maher received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor during a ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where he humorously remarked about the award and the venue's impending closure for renovations. The event, attended by notable figures like Woody Harrelson, Louis C.K., and Senator John Fetterman, highlighted Maher's critique of the ongoing legal battles surrounding the Kennedy Center and the political climate. The 27th annual ceremony is set to premiere on Netflix on July 21, with Maher emphasizing the vital role of comedy in today's divided society.