On the night of the 26th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the star of the evening wasn’t just the honoree, Conan O’Brien—it was President Donald Trump.
While presidents traditionally don’t attend such events, the shadow of Trump’s recent takeover of the Kennedy Center was felt all throughout the ceremony.
The backstage drama regarding leadership changes made its way onto the stage, as several comedians couldn’t resist poking fun at the current political climate and the ongoing influence of Trump.
Trump’s Absence Doesn’t Stop His Presence from Dominating the Ceremony
Even though Trump wasn’t physically present at the event, his name wasn’t far from anyone’s mind.
The show, held at the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall, was filled with jokes aimed at the new leadership and the uncertainty at the center following Trump’s involvement.
As the comedians roasted Conan O’Brien, it was clear that Trump’s impact loomed large.
David Letterman quipped, “I’m not a historian, but I believe this will go down as the most entertaining gathering of the resistance ever,” a subtle nod to the tension between comedy and politics under Trump’s presidency.
Comedian Sarah Silverman didn’t hold back either, humorously reminiscing, “I just really miss the days when you were America’s only orange a**hole,” which had the audience roaring with laughter.
O’Brien’s Speech Tackles Trump’s Influence on the Kennedy Center
Conan O’Brien, who was selected to receive the prestigious award, expressed his shock and gratitude during his acceptance speech.
He also delicately addressed the changes at the Kennedy Center under Trump’s leadership, particularly the firing of former president Deborah Rutter and chairman David Rubenstein.
O’Brien quipped about their absence: “Honestly, I don’t know why they aren’t here tonight.
I lost Wi-Fi in January—guess they’re in traffic,” garnering applause from the audience, many of whom were visibly moved.
O’Brien took a moment to tie the spirit of Mark Twain to today’s political climate, saying, “Twain was a patriot in the best sense of the word.
He loved America but knew it was deeply flawed.”
His reflection on Twain’s approach to comedy as a tool for reflecting on America’s faults struck a chord with those in attendance.
Comedians Weigh In on Trump’s Influence and the Changes at the Kennedy Center
As expected, many comedians couldn’t resist addressing Trump’s leadership at the Kennedy Center.
Will Ferrell made a joke about Trump’s federal budget cuts, saying, “I don’t have time for this.
I’m supposed to be shutting down the Department of Education right now.”
Nikki Glaser, speaking to reporters on the red carpet, pointed out that it would be “insane” not to address the current political climate, especially with Trump’s influence at the center.
However, she acknowledged the fear many comics have in taking on the president, mentioning the real fear of backlash, such as “being doxxed or detained.”
A Night Full of Comedy and Political Jabs at the Kennedy Center
The evening unfolded with plenty of comedic bits that referenced both O’Brien’s legacy and the ongoing political tensions.
The event started with a playful jab at the Kennedy Center’s new direction under Trump’s leadership, introducing the venue as a place of “true American values,” followed by a bizarre skit featuring a bear costume and crude humor.
Other comedians, including John Mulaney, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Burr, joined in with their own political jabs, with Colbert referencing Trump’s viral hot wings skit and Mulaney making fun of the center’s future, calling it the “Roy Cohn Pavilion for Big Strong Men Who Love Cats.”
A Lighter Note in a Time of Uncertainty
The ceremony wasn’t without its moments of humor, but it was clear that the underlying political tensions couldn’t be ignored.
The fear among some comedians that this could be “the final Mark Twain Prize” hinted at the uncertainty surrounding the future of the event under Trump’s control.
Bill Burr summed up the night perfectly, saying, “It’s a weird time.”
In the end, while the Mark Twain Prize ceremony was meant to honor O’Brien’s comedic contributions, it was also a reflection of the cultural and political climate in which it took place—a time when comedy, politics, and entertainment are more intertwined than ever before.