Bill Maher says Trump tried to block his Kennedy Center honour

'I am going to get it and then I’m going to give it to President Donald Trump. Everybody’s happy,' Maher joked

Bill Maher addressed the swirling controversy over his upcoming Mark Twain Prize honour, joking that Donald Trump may have tried to block it but insisting he holds no grudges.

During the opening monologue of Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher tackled what he called “a lot of back and forth” about whether he would actually receive the prestigious award. “We have reached a compromise,” he joked. “The compromise is that I am going to get it and then I’m going to give it to [President Donald Trump]. Everybody’s happy.”

The Kennedy Center confirmed that Maher will receive the 27th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at a ceremony scheduled for June 28, with a later streaming release on Netflix. The honor recognizes individuals who have had a significant impact on American society in the spirit of Mark Twain.

The confirmation followed confusion sparked by earlier reports that Maher’s selection could face complications due to his long-running feud with Trump, who has oversight of the Kennedy Center. After initial reports surfaced, White House officials dismissed the claim as “fake news,” with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award,” and communications director Steven Cheung adding, “Literally FAKE NEWS.”

Maher responded to the denials during his show but struck a surprisingly light tone. “Me and the president, we have a complicated relationship that goes back to the orangutan lawsuit,” he said, referencing a 2013 legal dispute that Trump later dropped.

Despite the tension, Maher said he respected the situation. “Him trying to block me from getting it. I respect the move. I respect the move. Keep the game going,” he said. “I’m all about engagement. Disengagement gets you nothing.”

The comedian also joked about the long list of insults Trump has directed at him over the years, including being called a “lightweight” and a “ratings loser.” “Get it off your chest, big man,” Maher quipped. “I’m totally fine with that.”

In a comedic segment, Maher even read aloud a compilation of Trump’s past insults before concluding with mock humility: “As a low ratings lightweight and a rather dumb guy… I am honored to accept the Mark Twain Prize. Thank you very much.”

He ended by inviting Trump to attend the ceremony, adding, “I will be there, Don, and I hope you will be too.”

Maher’s latest episode also featured an interview with US Senator Elissa Slotkin, alongside a panel including CNN’s Laura Coates and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.