Bill Maher says Donald Trump agreed to honor him with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor after the two reached a compromise: ” I am going to get it, and then I’m going to give it to him. Everybody’s happy.”
The Real Time host addressed how he came to become the recipient of this year’s prize and the drama that surrounded the decision on this week’s episode of his HBO show. It was previously reported that Trump initially approved the decision to name Maher the 2026 honoree, only to reverse course after the news leaked. He then apparently changed his mind again as Maher’s name was formally announced on Thursday.
“Everyone’s asking me to explain what was going on, because there is a lot of back and forth about this. It’s an award given at the Kennedy Center, but of course, that is now the ‘Trump Kennedy Center.’ So I was going to get it, and then Friday, both [Trump’s] spokespeople come out and said, ‘Fake news. Bill Maher is never getting it,’ Maher recounted during Friday’s Real Time monologue.
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Ultimately, “We have reached a compromise. Okay? And the compromise is: I am going to get it, and then I’m going to give it to him. Everybody’s happy. I just want things to work out.”
Maher said he doesn’t begrudge Tump for the back-and-forth: “I’m not looking for a fight, and I’m not mad that he did this. You know what? Me and the president, we have a complicated relationship. It goes back to the orangutan lawsuit. You know, this has been going on a long time. So, him trying to block me from getting it, I respect the move. I respect the ‘keep the game going, baby.’ Okay? I’m all about engagement. Disengagement gets you nothing. You got to engage.”
Maher continued: “So, even though I see that we’re back to him calling me a ‘jerk’ and I’m a ‘lightweight ratings loser’—get it off your chest, big man. Okay? I’m totally fine with that. I was proud of these last insults you gave me. I added them to the list of insults that I brought to the White House, that you signed graciously when I was there. Yes.”
“So, I would just like to say: as a ‘low ratings lightweight’ and a ‘rather dumb guy’ and a ‘pathetic bloated sleazebag,’ a ‘dummy,’ a ‘terrible student,’ a ‘nervous failing comedian,’ and someone who was ‘sick,’ ‘insane,’ ‘very sad,’ ‘totally shot,’ and a ‘crazy maniac,’ I am honored to accept the Mark Twain Prize.”
A ceremony honoring this year’s Mark Twain Prize recipient will be held at the Kennedy Center on June 28th, and Maher is hoping Trump will be in attendance. “I will be there, Don, and I hope you will be too,” Maher said to wrap up his remarks. “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.”
