Chicago – June 29, 2026
Comedian and Trump critic Bill Maher on Sunday received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Washington institution that is entangled in a legal battle over President Donald Trump’s effort to overhaul it.
The center — which Trump has sought to put his stamp on — was set to temporarily close its doors for a years long renovation, but is now faced with difficult financial choices after a judge ordered it to continue operating. Plummeting ticket sales, artist withdrawals, political controversies and a diminished staff have made restarting a full-scale programming schedule a challenge, multiple sources familiar with the operation previously told CNN.
Maher noted the potential closure during remarks on the red carpet before the event, saying, “This is the last show here for at least two years.”
