Bill Maher was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on Sunday night, but the event was notably marked by the absence of former President Donald Trump, whose impact loomed large throughout the ceremony.

The venue’s facade still bore traces of controversy related to Trump, including a white tarp covering his name after a federal judge’s order to remove it. Inside, the former president’s absence was a recurring theme, with several speakers and performers referencing him, often through pointed humor. Comedian Whitney Cummings opened the event with a sharp joke linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, though she noted later that she had been advised against using the bit. Louis C.K. followed with a deliberately weak Trump joke to illustrate the challenge of political humor, while Jay Leno made light of the setting by commenting on the “big, beautiful Bill” present in the nation’s capital.

Trump’s shadow over the night extended beyond jokes to the broader context surrounding Maher. Known for his critical and often polarizing commentary, Maher has engaged with Trump both as a political adversary and, in a surprising move, as a visitor to the White House last year. This engagement drew mixed reactions, with some critics questioning the decision to honor Maher after his comparatively conciliatory stance toward Trump. Maher himself addressed the issue in a moment of levity when an impressionist mimicked Trump’s style of ranting during his acceptance speech, which Maher used to deny any suggestion of a “quid pro quo” arrangement with the former president.

Traditionally, the Mark Twain Prize ceremony includes tributes from peers and protégés, but this year’s event featured fewer comedians and more diverse voices. Arianna Huffington offered a personal speech, humorously addressing Maher’s personal life and beliefs. Louis C.K., who spoke candidly about their strained friendship and his own career setback following admissions of sexual misconduct, praised Maher for support during difficult times and acknowledged his influence as a comedian, albeit with reserved enthusiasm.

Maher’s career, stretching back over three decades, is credited with pioneering politically oriented comedy that blurred the lines between entertainment and political discourse. Prior to the work of figures like Jon Stewart and John Oliver, Maher popularized long-form political monologues and brought terms like “politically incorrect” into the mainstream.

The evening also highlighted parallels between Maher and Trump, both New York-area natives who began their public profiles in the 1980s and combined pop culture with politics. Both are noted for their confrontational personalities and vocal complaints about perceived slights—Maher lamented what he described as being “soft canceled” for not winning an Emmy Award and openly criticized the awards industry in his acceptance remarks.

Maher’s closing remarks underscored his contentious relationship with the media and his audience, whom he described as seeking “truth” and intellectual challenge. He thanked his critics, embodying the combative but self-aware stance that has characterized much of his career.

Reflecting on the legacy of the Mark Twain Prize and the namesake writer’s controversial place in modern culture, Maher invoked debates over censorship and political sensitivity, suggesting current liberal attitudes have become overly restrictive. His remarks contrasted with those of previous honorees, such as Conan O’Brien, who celebrated comedy as a shared human experience rooted in self-criticism and humility.

Sunday’s event may be one of the last major presentations at the Kennedy Center before planned renovations proceed under Trump’s direction, adding another layer of complexity to a night shaped as much by absence and political undertones as by humor and accolades.