Comedians Roast Trump at Mark Twain Prize Honoring Conan O’Brien Amid Kennedy Center Changes

Hollywood figures didn’t hold back their opinions on former President Donald Trump at the recent Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony held in Washington, D.C. The event, which celebrated Conan O’Brien’s illustrious career in television and comedy, became a platform for pointed political commentary, particularly in light of Trump’s recent restructuring of the Kennedy Center’s leadership.

The timing of the awards coincided with significant changes at the Kennedy Center. Trump had previously removed the existing leadership in February and assumed the role of Kennedy Center Board Chair himself. This move was followed by the appointment of new members to the Board of Trustees, including second lady Usha Vance, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, and White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino. These changes stirred controversy and provided ample fodder for comedians attending the Mark Twain Prize.

Sarah Silverman emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Trump during the evening. She directly referenced a 2016 appearance on Conan O’Brien’s show where she famously portrayed Adolf Hitler. Silverman humorously recounted the premise of the skit, in which Hitler expressed embarrassment at being compared to Trump.

"I am actually not an obvious choice for Hitler," Silverman quipped, adding, "I mean, I am an obvious choice for Hitler. Not an obvious choice to play Hitler. But they chose me, and it’s this way of thinking that makes Conan great again. I just really miss the days when you were America’s only orange a–hole." The joke drew laughter and applause from the audience, highlighting the comedians’ willingness to engage with political issues through their humor.

Silverman continued her comedic assault by recalling a controversial incident from a 2012 appearance on Conan’s show. She described taking a suggestive photograph of O’Brien’s mouth and placing it between her legs, leading TBS to censor the image. In a bold move, she then revealed that copies of the image were placed under audience members’ seats.

"You can go ahead and leave those photos on your seat when you go – the guy who took over loves grabbing pussy," Silverman said, referencing the infamous Access Hollywood tape in which Trump bragged about sexually assaulting women. The comment ignited a strong reaction, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding Trump’s past behavior.

John Mulaney also weighed in on the Kennedy Center shake-up, delivering a satirical jab at Trump’s decision to appoint new leadership. He jokingly suggested that the president would rename the building after Roy Cohn, a controversial figure with ties to both Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy and Trump himself.

"It’s an honor to be here at the Kennedy Center, or as it will be known next week, the Roy Cohn Pavilion for Big, Strong Men Who Love Cats," Mulaney quipped, drawing parallels between Trump’s actions and Cohn’s history.

Will Ferrell, a previous Mark Twain Prize recipient, contributed to the political commentary by targeting Trump’s executive order to reform the Department of Education.

"I don’t have time for this. You know what I’m supposed to be doing right now?" Ferrell said. "Do you have any idea? I’m supposed to be shutting down the Department of Education."

Nikki Glaser, who hosted the Golden Globes earlier in the year, acknowledged the significance of addressing Trump’s actions at the event. She argued that it would be "insane" for comedians to ignore the political climate, recognizing the opportunity to make both humorous and insightful observations.

"I think it’s insane not to address the elephant in the room. And it’s like, it’s insane comedically, to not do that, because it’s, it’s right there," Glaser said.

She elaborated on the potential for comedians to seize a "rebellious moment" within the current political atmosphere.

"It’s an easy laugh to just say anything about it, but also you get to say something and have a little bit of a rebellious moment, which is always a fun thing to work in," Glaser explained. However, she also expressed concerns about potential backlash, including death threats and doxxing.

Conan O’Brien himself addressed the Kennedy Center changes, expressing gratitude to former president Deborah Rutter and chairman David Rubenstein, as well as other staff members "who are worried about what the future might bring."

O’Brien also paid tribute to Mark Twain, the namesake of the award, describing him as "a patriot in the best sense of the world." He quoted Twain’s famous sentiment, "patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government when it deserves it."

Looking ahead, O’Brien noted that his material for future events, such as the Oscars, would be heavily influenced by current events, acknowledging the ever-changing nature of political and social landscapes.

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has a long history of honoring comedic legends, including Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Dave Chappelle, Ellen DeGeneres, Adam Sandler, and Kevin Hart. The event’s tradition of celebrating humor and satire made it a fitting stage for comedians to express their views on the political climate and the actions of former President Donald Trump. The willingness of these comedians to engage with political issues through their art highlights the power of comedy to provoke thought, spark discussion, and challenge authority.