The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is an annual award given by the Kennedy Center, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to comedy in the United States. This year’s recipient was Conan O’Brien, a well-known television host and comedian, known for his work on shows like “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Conan.” The event saw an array of fellow comedians and admirers come together to celebrate O’Brien’s achievements in the field.
The award ceremony took place amidst a tense political climate, following President Trump’s decision to oust the Kennedy Center’s president, board chair, and other members earlier that year. This led to several artists resigning from leadership roles and canceling their performances at the center. Conan O’Brien acknowledged this situation during his acceptance speech by thanking former board chairman David Rubenstein and former president Deborah Rutter for their role in making the event possible, despite not being present themselves.
The atmosphere of the evening was a mix of humor and poignancy, with comedians using the tension as fuel to create engaging performances. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, performed by Robert Smigel, made light of the situation by joking about people’s ambivalence towards attending events at the Kennedy Center during this time. John Mulaney also referenced the political climate in his introduction, making a joke about how the center might be renamed after Donald Trump’s association with cats.
Overall, Conan O’Brien’s acceptance of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was a celebration of comedy and its ability to bring people together during challenging times. The event served as an opportunity for comedians to use their unique skills to address political issues while still providing entertainment and laughter for those in attendance.
[Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/03/24/nx-s1-5336358/conan-obrien-mark-twain-prize-kennedy-center) #’twain #hated #bullies.’ [Visit GhostAI](https://ghostai.pro/)
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