Key facts
- Bill Maher was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center.
- The ceremony featured numerous jokes about Donald Trump's name being removed from the venue.
- Performers referenced the legal battle over Trump's name addition to the building.
- A judge ruled Trump's name addition illegal and ordered its removal.
- Trump had previously taken control of the Kennedy Center and renamed it.
- Maher accepted the award, advocating for dialogue and rejecting political extremes.
Comedian Bill Maher received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center on Sunday, an event that became a backdrop for jokes and commentary regarding the recent legal dispute over Donald Trump's name being removed from the venue.
During the ceremony, performers including Woody Harrelson, Jay Leno, and Whitney Cummings referenced the controversy surrounding Trump's involvement with the Kennedy Center. Impersonator Matt Friend also took the stage, mimicking Trump's voice and joking about accepting the award himself.
The legal battle stemmed from Trump's efforts to exert control over the Kennedy Center, including renaming it and adding his name to the building's facade. A U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the addition of Trump's name was illegal and ordered its removal, also blocking a planned two-year renovation.
Maher, accepting the prize, spoke about rejecting political extremes and the importance of dialogue, while also acknowledging jokes about his career and past controversies. The future of the Kennedy Center remains uncertain as legal proceedings continue.