The Mark Twain Prize ceremony honoring comedian Conan O’Brien at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., served as a platform for comedians to address President Donald Trump’s recent changes at the arts institution.
O’Brien, aged 61, received the award on Sunday, March 23, 2025. The event featured several comedy stars, including Stephen Colbert, John Mulaney, Sarah Silverman, Adam Sandler, David Letterman, and Tracy Morgan.
Comedians at the ceremony referenced Trump’s February decision to dissolve the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees and appoint himself as chairman.
“It’s an honor to be here at the Kennedy Center, or as it will be known next week, the ‘Roy Cohn Pavilion for Big, Strong Men Who Love Cats,'” comedian John Mulaney quipped, referencing Trump’s lawyer from the 1950s.
Sarah Silverman addressed O’Brien, saying, “I just really miss the days when you were America’s only orange a–hole.”
Stephen Colbert commented on controversial appointments and mentioned “right wings” in a segment parodying O’Brien’s Hot Ones appearance.
Martin Short, appearing by video, referred to uncertainty about the award’s future, suggesting O’Brien could be the “last-ever” recipient of the Twain Prize at the center.
The political context arose from Trump’s actions in February, when he removed longtime president Deborah Rutter and appointed himself chairman, replacing David Rubenstein. This marked the first instance of a sitting president directly involving himself in the institution’s leadership in its history.
These changes have impacted programming, leading some productions, such as “Hamilton,” to withdraw in protest. Trump has shown interest in “non-woke” programming and claimed the building requires repairs despite its reported financial stability.
O’Brien addressed the situation with wit on the red carpet: “Only he knows his priorities best. There’s a lot going on in the world, but probably taking control of the Kennedy Center should be at the top of the list.”
In his acceptance speech, O’Brien acknowledged former leaders Rutter and Rubenstein, expressing confusion about their absence and joking that they might be stuck in traffic. He also recognized Kennedy Center staff concerned about their future, receiving a standing ovation.
O’Brien concluded with reflections on Mark Twain’s views on patriotism, noting Twain’s belief that patriotism means supporting one’s country consistently and the government when deserved.
David Letterman, a previous award recipient, made a direct political statement, suggesting this gathering would be remembered as an entertaining resistance gathering.
While Trump aides reportedly attended, the president himself was not present. The ceremony will stream on Netflix on May 4, 2025.
O’Brien was named the recipient in mid-January, before Trump’s leadership changes at the Kennedy Center, leading the event to evolve from a comedy celebration to a political commentary.
Since 1998, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has been awarded to individuals significantly impacting American society, similar to the 19th-century writer. Previous recipients include Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, and Lily Tomlin.
