Bill Maher set for Mark Twain prize at Kennedy Center
Bill Maher is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center on Sunday, June 28, 2026, putting the bill maher mark twain honor at the center of Washington. The gala may be one of the venue's last onstage moments amid Trump-era upheaval, legal fights over the building's name, and an uncertain programming future.
Key Takeaways
- Maher receives the Mark Twain Prize on Sunday at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
- The ceremony may be among the venue's last major Concert Hall events for years.
- White House officials initially dismissed reports of Maher's honor as fake news.
- Expected guests include Jay Leno, Woody Harrelson, and Arianna Huffington.
- President Donald Trump is not expected to attend the gala.
Why does the bill maher mark twain prize matter now?
Comedian Bill Maher will be awarded the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday in what might be one of the last major onstage moments at the Kennedy Center for the next several years, according to The Associated Press. The honor has been presented since 1998 to recognize significant contributions to humor and commentary in the United States.
In announcing the honor in March, the Kennedy Center described Maher as someone who has long influenced American comedy one politically incorrect joke at a time, a reference to the late-night show Politically Incorrect that he hosted for much of the 1990s. Previous winners include Conan O'Brien, Dave Chappelle, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Letterman, Carol Burnett, and Tina Fey.
What turmoil is the Kennedy Center facing?
The awards come at an awkward moment for the Kennedy Center, long one of the few relatively nonpartisan institutions in Washington. Shortly after Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, the Republican president fired much of the center's leadership and installed a board largely composed of allies, naming Trump as chairman and adding his name to the building's iconic facade.
Trump later said the Kennedy Center would close in July for a two-year renovation. But U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper upended those plans in May by ruling that Trump's name was illegally added to the building and ordering it removed. The judge also blocked the closure.
Trump's name has come down, but the spot once covered with letters spelling the president's name is now shrouded in a tarp. Lawyers for the Kennedy Center have said they are not planning for now to build out programming. The final Concert Hall event after the Twain gala is The Freedom Gathering: A Musical Celebration on July 3.
Why is Maher's selection politically charged?
Given Trump's sway over the Kennedy Center, Maher's selection is notable because the two men have long had a fraught relationship. Before he entered politics, Trump filed a five million dollar lawsuit against Maher in 2013 after Maher joked on Jay Leno's Tonight Show about Trump's parentage. Trump dropped the suit.
The relationship exploded again earlier this year when Trump claimed on social media that Maher was nervous and scared during a White House dinner last year. Maher, on his April 11 episode of Real Time, said Trump was gracious and measured and that he was not scared. He also hosted Vice President JD Vance on his show ahead of the weekend.
Maher's selection was itself the subject of drama. After The Atlantic reported in March that Maher would win the award, White House communications director Steven Cheung called the story literally FAKE NEWS. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said Maher will NOT be getting this award. The situation evolved after further conversations between the Kennedy Center and event organizers.
Who is expected at the ceremony?
Woody Harrelson, Arianna Huffington, and Jay Leno are among the celebrities expected to appear at the Sunday night ceremony. President Donald Trump, who has spent much of his second term reshaping the performing arts venue, is not expected to attend.
Beyond Maher, other expected guests have had up-and-down relationships with Trump. Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith recently knocked Trump for attending the NBA Finals in New York, calling the move selfish and narcissistic. See our Future Tech and AI Wonders coverage.