AceShowbiz - Bill Maher has been confirmed as the recipient of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, with the Kennedy Center scheduling the award ceremony for June 28 before closing for a major renovation.

The Kennedy Center officially named Maher as the 27th honoree of the prize, which recognizes significant contributions to American humor. This announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between Maher and former President Donald Trump, who controls the Kennedy Center after appointing a new board and naming himself chairman. The White House initially denied reports of Maher receiving the award, dismissing them as fake news while discussions were still underway.

Maher addressed Trump's recent public criticism on social media, where Trump called him boring, overrated, and accused him of having 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.' Maher mocked Trump’s fixation on him, rejecting suggestions that he softened his stance during a recent CNN interview. The two have a complicated history, including a private White House dinner in March 2025 that briefly appeared to ease tensions but ultimately did not stop Trump’s later disparagement.

Bill Maher is best known as the host of the long-running TV series documentary "Politically Incorrect" and the talk show "Real Time with Bill Maher." He has earned multiple nominations for his work, including Primetime Emmys and Producers Guild Awards. His career also includes acting roles in films like Out of Time, Murder, She Wrote, and Pizza Man.

This award comes at a fraught moment, as the Kennedy Center faces backlash from artists and performers who have canceled appearances or resigned in response to Trump’s leadership and the institution’s recent renaming to the Trump-Kennedy Center. Maher’s recognition highlights the ongoing cultural and political clashes within American entertainment and humor, underscoring the complexities of honoring comedy in a polarized era.