Comedian Bill Maher has been awarded the 2026 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, an honor he described as particularly significant for his style of comedy. The award ceremony took place at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
Maher, the 27th recipient of the prize, is known for his willingness to critique across the political spectrum. He reflected on his recent interactions with former President Donald Trump, who chaired the Kennedy Center's board when Maher was initially reported to be receiving the award. Trump's White House had initially dismissed the news as "fake news."
In an interview aired on ABC News' "This Week," Maher recounted a March 2025 dinner at the White House with Trump, organized by mutual acquaintance Kid Rock. Maher described the experience as not being "terrible," despite subsequent criticism from Trump, who accused Maher of having "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
Maher stated that Trump's attacks intensified after the dinner because the former president felt betrayed, a sentiment Maher dismissed, explaining the meeting was intended for dialogue rather than negotiation. "It was only set up as, instead of shouting at each other, talk to each other," Maher said.
Despite describing himself as an "old-school liberal," Maher has been critical of both major parties. He called out Republicans who continue to question the legitimacy of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, stating the behavior must stop. He also voiced these concerns directly to Vice President JD Vance during an appearance on Maher's show, "Real Time with Bill Maher."
Maher suggested that Republican politicians' refusal to acknowledge Biden's win is due to Trump's continued influence and scrutiny. "They can't because they know he's watching. They know where their bread is buttered. ... he has to do that. Trump is watching," Maher explained.
He also criticized Democrats, labeling them as "cowardly" and expressing concern about the rise of a progressive, socialist-leaning wing within the party. "Democrats are cowardly, they're cowardly. Their party is being taken over now by, you know, every day I hear about a new very radical," he stated.
Looking ahead, Maher indicated that while he wants Democrats to regain some control in Washington, which he anticipates will still be a "referendum on Trump," his personal vote is "in play" for the 2028 election. He expressed reservations about what he perceives as the "nutty" direction of a segment of the Democratic party, adding, "I'm not living in communist America."
When asked if he could envision voting for JD Vance, Maher responded affirmatively, stating, "If this is the, the Democratic side, yes." He also expressed skepticism about the current field of potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2028.
The 2026 Mark Twain Prize ceremony will be available for streaming on Netflix starting Tuesday.