Bill Maher will be honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, an event that comes as the center grapples with political and legal challenges.
Maher, known for his sharp criticism of President Trump on HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher,” will accept the award at a time when the Kennedy Center’s governance is under intense scrutiny.
With Trump serving as the center’s chairman, the institution is embroiled in a lawsuit over the extent of the administration’s influence. A federal judge recently ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the building’s marble facade, a decision the center has appealed.
Describing himself as an “old‑school liberal,” Maher frequently targets both the president and what he calls “woke” progressivism within the Democratic Party. On his show, he has likened Trump to an emperor, mocked the president’s approval ratings and recent Iran deal, and accused him of “racist, misogynistic, anti‑democratic and corrupt” behavior.
Maher’s acceptance of the prize comes as many artists have chosen to boycott the venue.
The ceremony, slated to air on Netflix on July 21, will feature a roster of comedians and entertainers—including Louis C.K., Jay Leno, Whitney Cummings, Woody Harrelson, John Mellencamp, Arianna Huffington, and commentator Stephen A. Smith—who will both honor and roast Maher.
Maher’s career spans more than four decades, beginning with the 1990s talk show “Politically Incorrect” and continuing with “Real Time,” known for its heated cross‑party debates and incisive monologues.
When the appointment was first announced in March, the Trump administration dismissed it as “fake news.” An official later said the stance had changed after further discussions.
Maher joked about the reversal, saying a compromise had been reached with the White House: “I am going to get it and then I’m going to give it to him — everybody’s happy,” he remarked, noting his “complicated relationship” with the president.
This is not the first détente between the two. Last year, Maher attended a White House dinner with Trump, drawing criticism from progressives after he praised the president’s “gracious and measured” demeanor. Maher later quipped that he had asked Trump to sign a list of insults the president had hurled at him over the years, including “sleazebag,” “third‑rate comedian,” and “low‑ratings dummy.”
The Kennedy Center continues to navigate a judicial order that blocked Trump’s plan to close the venue for two years of renovations after Independence Day, citing insufficient board review of the proposal.
Facing a June 12 deadline to remove Trump’s name from the building, staff took down the 18 letters added to the marble facade in December, initially concealing the work with a massive tarp‑covered scaffold.
Two weeks later, the tarps remain, prompting objections from Democratic lawmakers. For the comedians gathering on Sunday, the lingering coverings may provide ample material for their routine.
