Comedian Bill Maher received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday in a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, amid ongoing uncertainty about the venue’s future. The award, presented annually since 1998, honors individuals who have made notable contributions to American humor and social commentary. Past recipients include Conan O’Brien, Dave Chappelle, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Letterman, Carol Burnett, and Tina Fey.

Maher, known for his sharp political commentary and stand-up comedy, described the prize as a significant honor. He drew parallels between himself and Mark Twain, the prize’s namesake, noting, “He took on both sides,” in reference to Twain’s satirical approach.

The ceremony took place against the backdrop of a contentious dispute over the Kennedy Center’s leadership and management. After former President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, he appointed a board largely composed of his allies, named himself chairman, and had his name added to the building’s facade. This move resulted in legal challenges, culminating in a May ruling by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the building and blocked plans to temporarily close the center for renovations.

Trump’s name was subsequently removed from the Kennedy Center, but ongoing renovations remain on hold. Parts of the building are currently covered with a tarp, and officials have stated they are not planning new programming at this time. The last event scheduled in the center’s Concert Hall is “The Freedom Gathering: A Musical Celebration,” set for July 3.

The event drew a mix of political and entertainment figures. Notable attendees included Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Paul Dans—known for his work on the Republican Project 2025 agenda—and Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. Among the celebrities present were actor Woody Harrelson, businesswoman Arianna Huffington, sports analyst Stephen A. Smith, and fellow comedian Jay Leno.

In the days leading up to the ceremony, Maher hosted Vice President JD Vance on his show, where he commented on political polarization, saying, “You guys have two outcomes that an election can be. Either we win or they cheated. That s—- has to stop.”

The Mark Twain Prize ceremony is scheduled to be broadcast on Netflix on July 21.