WASHINGTON (AP) — Comedian Bill Maher was being 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.The award has been presented since 1998 as a way to recognize those who have made significant contributions to humor and commentary in the United States. Previous winners include Conan O’Brien, Dave Chappelle, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Letterman, Carol Burnett and Tina Fey.Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Maher called the prize a great honor.“Who doesn’t like awards and wouldn’t want to be compared to Mark Twain, especially for what I do?” he said. “And, you know, they’ve had a lot of amazing winners who I’m huge fans of. Not all of them are anything like Mark Twain. I am at least somewhat like Mark Twain. ... He took on both sides.”
President Donald Trump, who has spent much of his second term reshaping the performing arts venue, didn’t attend. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was the most prominent member of the administration in attendance. Other political guests included Paul Dans, who helped shape the Republican Project 2025 agenda. Some Democrats were in attendance, including Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.
