Prominent comedians have pushed back against Donald Trump’s control over the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during a show that one participant termed “the most entertaining assembly of the resistance, ever”.
Although Trump was absent from Sunday’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, which honored Conan O’Brien for his lifetime contributions to comedy, his reputation was the butt of jokes from various comics and stars, turning the event into a powerful statement for artistic freedom.
Sarah Silverman was particularly blunt, sharing a story about her appearance on O’Brien’s late-night show. “They scripted a sketch where Conan interviews Hitler, who appears because he’s embarrassed to be compared to Donald Trump,” she recounted, “and I was cast as Hitler.”
Silverman, a Jewish woman, wasn’t an obvious pick for the role. “They chose me, and that’s the kind of thinking that makes Conan great again.” Turning to O’Brien, whose hair is ginger, she added: “I really miss the days when you were the only orange jerk in America.” The crowd roared with laughter.
Silverman also referenced an episode of O’Brien’s show where she took a photo of his mouth that made it look like a vagina. She urged attendees to check under their seats for a picture of O’Brien’s lips and hinted at Trump’s infamous boast on Access Hollywood about groping women.
“Feel free to leave those pictures on your seat when you go. The guy who’s taken over loves grabbing pussy.”
Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center in Washington has alarmed the arts community. It was evident that the flagship venue had changed as celebrities walked the red carpet next to a wall lined with gold-framed portraits of Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance.
This event marked the first major gathering since Trump appointed himself chair last month, displacing billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein. He also removed board members selected by Joe Biden and replaced them with his loyalists.
Trump appointed Richard Grenell, a close associate and former ambassador to Germany, to lead the Kennedy Center, holding the position of envoy for special operations in the current administration.
The new board, which includes White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Usha Vance, dismissed the center’s president, Deborah Rutter. Trump announced on social media that those let go “do not share our vision for a golden age in arts and culture.”
Several artists, including the producers of the musical Hamilton and actor-writer Issa Rae, have declared they are canceling performances at the venue. Ticket sales have also diminished.
During Sunday’s tribute to O’Brien, a number of comedians didn’t hold back, addressing the institution’s precarious future and suggesting that the prize itself might not endure during the Trump administration.
John Mulaney remarked: “It’s a privilege to be here at the Kennedy Center, or as it will soon be called, the Roy Cohn Pavilion for Big, Strong Men Who Love Cats.” Cohn was a hard-nosed lawyer who mentored Trump, and Trump had recently praised Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats while visiting the arts venue.
Mulaney added: “Congratulations to my friend Conan O’Brien on receiving the 26th and final Mark Twain Prize.”
Will Ferrell termed the event a distraction because “I’m supposed to be shutting down the Department of Education.”
In a segment featuring increasingly spicy chicken wings, late-night host Stephen Colbert quipped: “Given the new leadership of the Kennedy Center, these are all right wings, and a couple of them are downright crazy.”
In praise of O’Brien, Colbert noted: “He never backs down. For example, when he accepted the Mark Twain Prize, this place was very different. Today, they introduced two board members: Bashar al-Assad and Skeletor,” referring to the former dictator of Syria and a classic cartoon villain.
David Letterman, another late-night TV icon, acknowledged the lively atmosphere in the auditorium, stating: “I’m not a historian, but I believe this will go down in history as the most entertaining gathering of the resistance, ever.”
O’Brien was selected to replace David Letterman as host of NBC’s Late Night show in 1993 despite lacking substantial on-camera experience. Previously, he had written for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons but went on to host Late Night for 16 years. He later hosted another talk show on TBS, launched successful podcasts and travel shows, and presided over this year’s Oscars.
Not typically seen as a political satirist, O’Brien used his acceptance speech on Sunday to make pointed remarks regarding the current environment. “Thanks to those who invited me here a few months ago, Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein,” he stated. “Honestly, I’m not sure why they’re not present tonight. I lost wifi in January; I guess they must be stuck in traffic.”
“And a heartfelt thank you to all the amazing individuals who have dedicated years to working at the Kennedy Center and who are concerned about what the future holds. My lasting gratitude for their unwavering commitment to the arts.” The audience rose to their feet, applauding and cheering.
Standing beside the award, a bust of 19th-century writer and humorist Twain, O’Brien continued: “Twain detested bullies… He always aimed higher, not lower, and had deep empathy for the vulnerable. Twain was allergic to hypocrisy and abhorred racism.”
“Twain was cautious of populism, jingoism, imperialism, and the greed-driven fervor of the Gilded Age. He frowned upon any expression of thoughtless American might or self-importance.”
He added: “Above all, Twain embodied patriotism in its finest form. He cherished America yet recognized its profound imperfections. Twain stated, ‘Patriotism means supporting your country all the time and your government when it merits it.’” The crowd erupted in approval.
The night concluded on a lively and whimsical note as performers dressed as Twain danced on stage, while O’Brien and Adam Sandler performed Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World.
Previous recipients of the Mark Twain Prize include Kevin Hart, Sandler, Jon Stewart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Carol Burnett. The show from Sunday will be available for streaming on Netflix on May 4.
