Comedians Roast President at Kennedy Center Twain Prize Ceremony

Comedians gathered at the Kennedy Center last night to honor Bill Maher with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The ceremony took place while a large tarp remained draped across the building's facade, blocking the spot where the president's name had been added and then removed following a court order.

Performers including Jay Leno, Louis C.K., and Whitney Cummings directed jokes at the president throughout the evening. Cummings joked that the fall lineup would feature a three-month run of white Hamilton under the president's influence.

Harrelson told the audience that the award was ironically being given at the Trump Kennedy Center before correcting himself to note the signage change. Matt Friend, a Trump impersonator, interrupted Maher's acceptance speech by repeating insults the president had used against Maher earlier this year.

Maher defended comedy's role in challenging power during his acceptance speech. He said he was proudest of staying on the air for 33 years without ever pulling a punch and described laughter as people's inescapable truth detector.

The event followed months of changes at the Kennedy Center after the president replaced much of its leadership and board. Those changes prompted artist cancellations, revenue declines, and staff departures before a federal judge temporarily blocked efforts to close the center and rename the complex.

Democratic lawmakers such as Senator John Fetterman and Representative Ro Khanna appeared alongside the Trump health official Mehmet Oz and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Lutnick, whose wife is a trustee, said he has been helping out with board proceedings during its legal fights.