Bill Maher Allegedly Stripped of Prestigious Award Following Trump Remarks

In a surprising twist to an ongoing public spat, comedian Bill Maher was reportedly on the verge of receiving a significant accolade, only to have the White House disrupt the proceedings. Maher, known for his controversial humor, was believed to be in line for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, a distinguished honor awarded by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which has traditionally celebrated the comedic elite.

According to sources who spoke with The Atlantic and CNN, Maher was poised to receive this year’s prize. However, shortly after these reports surfaced, the White House swiftly countered with a firm denial.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, dismissed the claims as ‘fake news,’ stating unequivocally, “Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award.” This declaration added another layer to the already tense relationship between Maher and the current administration.

Further fueling the controversy, Steven Cheung, Director of Communications for the Trump administration, took to social media platform X to refute The Atlantic’s article, bluntly labeling it as “Literally FAKE NEWS.”

This development adds yet another chapter to the ongoing feud between Maher and political figures, highlighting the intricate dance between comedy and politics in today’s media landscape.

Three sources confirmed to The Atlantic that Maher was chosen for the award, but accounts varied as to whether he had accepted it. 

One source said an official announcement was expected soon, while another said that Trump was aware Maher had been offered the prize and was supportive of it. 

Another source told CNN that Maher was told he had been selected and was seriously considering it, but had not officially accepted the honor.  

Donald Trump and Bill Maher have been publicly critical of one another over the years, frequently hurling insults. The two are pictured together above at the 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2004 

The White House denied that Bill Maher had been offered a prestigious award in comedy at the Kennedy Center

Accounts differed as to whether Bill Maher had officially accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment. 

The two have had a long and complicated relationship, often hurling public jabs but occasionally sharing friendly moments. 

Maher attended a dinner at the White House in April, 2025. He faced backlash at the time from the comedy community. 

However, the civility did not last long as Trump lashed out at Maher on social media after the comedian criticized his administration. 

Trump called Maher a ‘highly overrated LIGHTWEIGHT’ in February, and said their 2025 dinner was a waste of time. 

‘He came into the famed Oval Office much different than I thought he would be,’ Trump wrote on social media.

‘He was extremely nervous, had ZERO confidence in himself and, to soothe his nerves, immediately, within seconds, asked for a Vodka Tonic.’

The president added that Maher confessed he had never felt that nervous before, with Trump joking that the encounter was ‘endearing.’ 

Maher addressed the infamous dinner on his HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher, at the time calling the president ‘gracious and measured,’ adding that he was willing to ‘listen and accept me as a possible friend.’ 

Donald Trump shared a series of posts on Truth Social saying he regretted inviting Bill Maher to the White House for dinner earlier this month 

Maher hit back at the posts on his show, saying he did not suffer from ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ 

His tune changed after Trump’s social media rant earlier this year. Maher said last month that he did not suffer from ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome,’ accusing the president of having ‘Bill Maher Derangement Syndrome.’ 

He joked that the dinner was like a bad date, telling his audience: ‘I know how women feel now—a guy buys you dinner and then expects you to put out. I’m not that guy.’ 

Maher also revealed to CNN earlier this year that Trump often ‘yells’ at him via text for being a part of the ‘lunatic left.’ 

The comedian’s political beliefs have consistently come under scrutiny during his multi-decade career. 

His show, Politically Incorrect, aired on Comedy Central in 1993, and he positioned himself as a controversial truth-teller at the time. 

The show was taken off the air after Maher called the US government ‘cowardly’ after the September 11 attacks. 

Maher’s politics now tend to lean center-left. In his 2024 book, What This Comedian Said Will Shock You, he told readers that his beliefs have remained consistent, but that the left has become more radical. 

If Maher had been the recipient of this year’s Mark Twain Prize, he would have joined the ranks of comedians like Conan O’Brien, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, and Carol Burnett.