THE MARQUEE
Bill Maher isn’t sweating the drama surrounding his latest accolade. During his Friday night monologue on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher, the comedian addressed reports that Donald Trump attempted to block him from receiving the 2026 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Maher told his audience he was actually flattered by the attention, stating he was happy to "keep the game going" with the President despite the political friction.
The controversy erupted after the White House initially denied reports that Maher would be honored by the Kennedy Center. However, the Kennedy Center eventually confirmed Maher as the official recipient of the prestigious award. According to The Washington Post, the conflict highlighted a rare moment of public tension between the executive branch and the arts institution over the selection of a specific honoree.
Maher, who has been a vocal critic of Trump for years, expressed a sense of respect for the persistence of their long-standing rivalry. "I respect the move," Maher said during the March 27 broadcast, according to TheWrap. He noted that the attempt to rescind the honor only added to the narrative of his career. The Kennedy Center is moving forward with the formal ceremony to celebrate Maher’s three decades in political satire.