At Sunday’s ceremony for the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Conan O’Brien used his platform to deliver a powerful message against what he described as “bullies,” making a pointed commentary that seemed to reflect the political climate under President Donald Trump, despite not mentioning him by name. O’Brien, who has long been a fixture in late-night television, received the award at the Kennedy Center, a cultural institution that has recently seen significant changes under Trump’s influence.
Comedians like David Letterman, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, and Stephen Colbert joined in celebrating O’Brien’s achievements in comedy while also taking subtle jabs at the Trump administration. Their remarks highlighted the shift in leadership at the Kennedy Center, which has now been taken over by individuals aligned with Trump.
O’Brien, who is known for his sharp wit, drew a clear line between his comedic ideals and the current political landscape. “Twain hated bullies,” O’Brien said, referencing the award’s namesake, Mark Twain. “He punched up, not down. And he deeply, deeply empathized with the weak.” He praised Twain’s resistance to hypocrisy and populism, drawing parallels to the current state of American leadership. O’Brien described Twain as someone who loved America but also recognized its flaws—a sentiment he seems to share in his own commentary.
The Kennedy Center, traditionally an apolitical space, has become embroiled in controversy since Trump’s recent involvement, especially after he assumed control of the board, removing key figures like billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein. O’Brien subtly referenced these changes, thanking Rubenstein and former Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter for their contributions—remarks that were met with resounding applause from the audience.
During the ceremony, Colbert humorously remarked that the Kennedy Center’s board would soon feature “Bashar al-Assad and Skeletor,” poking fun at the increasing politicization of the institution. Other comedians, including John Mulaney, joked that this might be the last Mark Twain Prize awarded at the Center, with Mulaney even quipping that the building might be renamed after Roy Cohn, a lawyer who worked for Trump in his early business years and was deeply involved in McCarthyism.
While the event was filled with laughter and levity, it was clear that many were using the occasion to comment on the current political situation in the U.S. O’Brien, for his part, was determined to carry on with the ceremony to honor the legacy of Mark Twain and to show support for the Kennedy Center staff, despite the challenges facing the institution under its new leadership.
“I wanted to be here specifically to honor Mark Twain and the people that this award stands for,” O’Brien told reporters before the event.
Past recipients of the Mark Twain Prize include some of the biggest names in comedy, such as Jon Stewart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Kevin Hart. O’Brien, known for his roles on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Tonight Show,” and “Conan,” continues to be celebrated for his immense contributions to the world of comedy.
