Bill Maher wins the Mark Twain Prize after years of secrecy
Bill Maher has been named the 27th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The award, given by the Kennedy Center, recognises his long career in comedy and political satire. However, the ceremony date remains unannounced as the venue prepares for major renovations.
The announcement follows confusion after *The Atlantic* initially labelled the news as false. The Kennedy Center later confirmed Maher's win, ending speculation about the prize's status in recent years.
The Mark Twain Prize has been awarded nearly every year since 1998, honouring influential figures in American comedy. Past winners include Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, and George Carlin. Jon Stewart was the last known recipient in 2022, as no public records of winners have surfaced since.
Maher, a self-described liberal, has built a reputation for criticising extremes on both the political left and right. His HBO show *Real Time* has earned 22 Emmy nominations but has never won. Off-screen, he made headlines in April 2025 after dining with former President Donald Trump at the White House, a meeting that drew mixed reactions. Despite the announcement, Maher has not commented on the award publicly. The Kennedy Center, which hosts the event, will close for renovations starting July 4, delaying plans for the ceremony. Details on when or where Maher will receive the prize have yet to be released.
The confirmation of Maher's award ends a five-year gap in public records for the Mark Twain Prize. His ceremony will take place after the Kennedy Center reopens from its scheduled upgrades. The prize remains one of the highest honours in American comedy, though its future schedule remains uncertain.
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