WASHINGTON — Comedian Bill Maher has been officially selected to receive the Kennedy Center’s prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the institution announced Thursday. The confirmation comes less than a week after White House officials vehemently disputed reports that the comedian would receive the honor.
Roma Daravi, who serves as the Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, released a statement Thursday highlighting Maher’s impact on comedy. “For nearly three decades, the Mark Twain Prize has celebrated some of the greatest minds in comedy,” Daravi stated. “For even longer, Bill has been influencing American discourse — one politically incorrect joke at a time.”
Responding to the announcement, Maher offered his characteristic wit in a prepared statement: “I just had the award explained to me, and apparently it’s like an Emmy, except I win.”
The comedy recognition became controversial last week when The Atlantic published reports indicating Maher would receive the award. White House communications director Steven Cheung quickly responded on social media, labeling the reporting as “literally FAKE NEWS.” The White House has not yet responded to Thursday’s official announcement.
Since its inception in 1998, the Kennedy Center has used this award to honor individuals who have significantly impacted American humor and social commentary. Past recipients include notable figures such as Conan O’Brien, Dave Chappelle, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Letterman, Carol Burnett and Tina Fey.
The ceremony is scheduled for June 28, occurring just before President Trump’s planned closure of the Kennedy Center for renovations expected to span approximately two years. Following his return to office, the Republican president has exercised considerable control over the venue, removing previous leadership and installing a personally selected board of trustees with himself as chairman.
Under the new board’s direction, Trump’s name has been added to the Kennedy Center, and the closure has been approved. These decisions have sparked legal challenges that remain active.
The relationship between Maher and the president has been tumultuous for years.
In 2013, before Trump’s political career began, he initiated a $5 million legal action against Maher for alleged breach of contract. During an appearance on Jay Leno’s “The Tonight Show,” Maher had promised to donate $5 million to Trump’s preferred charity if he could demonstrate he wasn’t “the spawn of his mother having sex with an orangutan.”
When Trump presented his birth certificate and Maher didn’t follow through with the payment, Trump pursued legal action. He eventually abandoned the lawsuit.
Their relationship became strained again this year when the president took to social media to criticize a dinner meeting they had shared. “He came into the famed Oval Office much different than I thought he would be,” Trump posted online. “He was extremely nervous, had ZERO confidence in himself.” Trump also claimed the comedian acknowledged being “scared.”
During his April 11 “Real Time” broadcast, Maher characterized the dinner positively, describing Trump as “gracious and measured” and unlike the “person who plays a crazy person on TV.” He disputed being frightened during the encounter.
In his “New Rules” segment, Maher acknowledged several Trump administration policies he supported, including the “mass removal of stone cold criminals” and efforts to make NATO members pay “their fair share.”
“I may be the last person from the lunatic left that is still an honest broker when it comes to you,” he stated. “I always want the American president to succeed, and I do give credit when you have, but there’s lots of stuff you do that is not my idea of success, and I have every right to say so in a democracy.”
