Bill Maher is set to receive the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center on June 28th. Despite initial denials from the White House calling it "fake news," the Kennedy Center confirmed that Maher will indeed be honored with this award.
Key Takeaways
Bill Maher will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center on June 28th, despite initial denials from the White House. The ceremony marks one of the last events before renovations.
- Bill Maher to receive Mark Twain Prize after White House called it 'fake news'
- Ceremony will be one of the last events at the Kennedy Center before renovations
- Maher has a tumultuous relationship with President Trump, including a lawsuit and recent dinner
- The Mark Twain Prize recognizes significant contributions to humor and commentary in the U.S.
- Previous winners include Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, Tina Fey, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The decision comes after a week of discussions between the Trump-Kennedy Center and event organizers, as reported by Fox News Digital. The ceremony will mark one of the last events at the Kennedy Center before it closes for renovations. According to CBS News, Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, stated that Maher has been influencing American discourse with his politically incorrect jokes.
Maher's relationship with President Trump has been tumultuous over the years. The Guardian notes that Trump filed a lawsuit against Maher in 2013 and later dropped it. Despite their differences, Maher had dinner with Trump at the White House in March 2025. According to UPI, Maher described the dinner as a "good time" during his show Real Time.
In response to the news, Maher reacted on his show "Real Time," expressing gratitude and humor about the situation. He mentioned his complicated relationship with Trump, referencing a lawsuit filed in 2013 when Maher joked that Trump was the son of an orangutan. Maher encouraged Trump to continue their public exchanges, stating he is all about engagement.
The Mark Twain Prize has been awarded annually since 1998 and recognizes significant contributions to humor and commentary in the United States. Previous winners include notable comedians such as Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, Tina Fey, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. As reported by NPR, Maher expressed his gratitude for receiving an award named after Mark Twain.
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