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After a week filled with speculation and firm denials from the White House, Bill Maher has finally cleared the air regarding his anticipated recognition.
On Friday’s episode of Real Time With Bill Maher streaming on HBO Max, the veteran host tackled the rumors about his selection as the upcoming recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Addressing the swirling controversy, Maher quipped, “We’ve come to a resolution. I’ll receive the award, and then I’ll pass it on to [President Donald Trump]. Everyone wins. I just want harmony.”
It appears that this harmony has been achieved, at least in official terms. On Thursday, the Kennedy Center confirmed that Maher would indeed be honored with the 27th Mark Twain Prize at a ceremony slated for June 28, with a subsequent release on Netflix. This esteemed award recognizes individuals who have significantly influenced American culture in the spirit of Mark Twain. Roma Daravi, the VP of public relations, commended Maher for his role in “shaping American discourse — one politically incorrect joke at a time.”
The announcement follows a wave of media confusion. Earlier, The Atlantic reported Maher as the chosen recipient, yet pointed out potential issues due to his contentious relationship with Trump, who influences the Kennedy Center. Trump had previously criticized Maher, calling him a “highly overrated LIGHTWEIGHT” after a White House dinner he described as “a complete waste of time.”
This was followed by forceful denials. “This is fake news. Bill Maher will NOT be receiving this award,” stated White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at the time. Communications director Steven Cheung echoed this sentiment, declaring it “Literally FAKE NEWS.”
So what changed? That part remains murky. But Maher, for his part, doesn’t seem too interested in litigating it.
Addressing the situation on-air, he struck a surprisingly diplomatic tone, insisting he’s “not looking for a fight” and isn’t upset with Trump over the apparent back-and-forth. “Me and the president, we have a complicated relationship that goes back to the orangutan lawsuit,” Maher quipped, referencing the 2013 legal spat stemming from a Tonight Show joke.
“This has been going on a long time, so him trying to block me from getting it — I respect the move. I respect the move. Keep the game going, baby, OK, I’m all about engagement. Disengagement gets you nothing. You got to engage.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be Maher without a little bite. Turning to Trump’s recent Truth Social posts, he brushed off the insults with a grin. “We’re back to him calling me a ‘jerk’ and I’m a ‘lightweight ratings loser.’ Get it off your chest, big man, OK, I’m totally fine with that.”
In fact, Maher said he was “proud” of the latest barrage — so much so that he compiled them into a list he brought along to the White House. A split-screen graphic showed the growing collection as Maher read off the hits.
“So I would just like to say as a low ratings lightweight and a rather dumb guy and a pathetic, bloated sleaze bag, a dummy, a terrible student, a nervous, failing comedian and someone who was sick, insane, very sad, totally shot in, a crazy maniac, I am honored to accept the Mark Twain Prize. Thank you very much,” he said.
“I will be there, Don, and I hope you will be too. I mean, the place is named after you now, you really should show up. You could show up. You could thank me in person for being one of the few people on the lunatic left who’s glad you hit Iran and is hoping we win that one.”
Elsewhere in the episode, Maher sat down for a one-on-one interview with U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, while CNN’s Laura Coates and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith joined the panel discussion.