The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony on Sunday night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts became a platform for comedians to lampoon Donald Trump, following a judge's order to remove the president's name from the building. A giant tarpaulin concealed the spot where Trump's name had been affixed, but inside, the jokes were relentless.
Comedians Target Trump's Renaming Fiasco
Woody Harrelson, paying tribute to recipient Bill Maher, opened with: "Finally, an award for my dear friend – ironically at the Trump Kennedy Center. No, all right, we fixed that." The audience applauded, and Harrelson added, "Not as though you'd be able to notice." Jay Leno on the red carpet called the saga "silly, like high school with money. Covering the name now – hilarious!"
Whitney Cummings quipped during the ceremony: "I'm just glad we all celebrated Bill tonight, even though Trump is now the board chair of this venue. He actually does have a lot of power here... so enjoy this fall's three-month run of White Hamilton." The musical's producers canceled its Kennedy Center run after Trump's takeover.
Impressionist Mocks Trump and Maher's Dinner
Matt Friend, impersonating Trump, joked he would accept the award himself: "I had one of the greatest comedy careers of all time. I get so many more laughs than this guy!" He also mocked Maher's recent White House dinner with Trump, where the president autographed a list of insults. Maher defended the dinner, saying it was about "having the two sides talk to each other instead of shouting."
The legal battle began when Trump's handpicked board voted to rename the center the "Trump Kennedy Center" and affix his name to the wall. Last month, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled the addition illegal and ordered removal of the 18 letters. Trump posted on social media that Cooper "should be ashamed of himself" and indicated he was finished with the center, writing: "I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into 'NEVER NEVER LAND.'"
Trump Officials Defend Involvement
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, attending the ceremony, said Trump remains committed: "The president is not only the commander in chief, but he's the builder in chief. He's gonna try his darnedest to make this building shine... These courts are always sort of fighting with him but, in the end, he wins." Lutnick declined to comment on Trump's feelings about the name removal.
Maher, 70, accepted the prize reflecting on his 33-year career. "People say they want honesty. They don't. They want to live in a bubble," he said, praising his viewers as those who "do not demand to be pandered to." He added: "I don't ask what will please the audience. I ask what is true and they're OK with that."
Bipartisan Attendance and Reactions
The event drew both Democrats and Republicans. Democratic Senator John Fetterman praised Maher's support for Israel, noting "no daylight" between their views. Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna called Maher a "traditional blue dog Democrat" whose willingness to call out "the craziness" helps unite a polarized country. Mehmet Oz, a TV personality and CMS administrator, said: "It's valuable for America to have humorists who can pick on both sides."
Fetterman dismissed concerns about Trump's renovations: "The centre will outlive the Trump administration and I'm not worried about putting someone's name on it." The Mark Twain Prize, established in 1998, has honored Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart, and Conan O'Brien. The ceremony is set to air on Netflix on July 21.
