The Kennedy Center has confirmed that Bill Maher will receive this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, reversing earlier denials from the White House which had dismissed reports as “fake news”.
The confusion began after a March 20 report suggested Maher had been selected for the honour. At the time, officials including press secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly rejected the claim. The Kennedy Center has now confirmed that the decision has since been finalised.
Maher, best known as the long-time host of HBO’s Real Time, will become the 27th recipient of the prestigious award. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 28, 2026, and will be held at the recently renamed concert hall within the Kennedy Center. The event will be streamed on Netflix, with a release date yet to be announced.
In a statement, Maher responded with characteristic humour, thanking organisers and noting the irony of receiving an award named after Mark Twain, a literary figure whose works have often faced bans.
Maher’s selection comes amid his long-standing and often contentious relationship with Donald Trump. The two have publicly exchanged criticism in recent months, despite a brief period of cordiality following a White House dinner in 2025.
The announcement also arrives during a period of transition for the Kennedy Center. The venue is set to close for a two-year redevelopment beginning July 4, 2026, a move that has already prompted several artists to cancel scheduled appearances following recent changes to the institution.
The Mark Twain Prize recognises individuals who have made a significant impact on American society through humour, echoing the legacy of its namesake. Previous recipients include major figures in comedy such as Conan O’Brien, Dave Chappelle and Tina Fey.
Maher has spent more than three decades in political comedy, beginning with Politically Incorrect in the 1990s and continuing with his long-running HBO programme.
Over the course of his career, he has received dozens of Emmy nominations and remains one of the most recognisable voices in American television satire.
