White House Forced to Walk Back Claim Bill Maher Won't Get Kennedy Center Prize

Staffers initially denied the award announcement before acknowledging the information was premature.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:35am

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White House staffers were forced to walk back their initial denials after it was confirmed that comedian Bill Maher will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and communications representative Steven Cheung had initially claimed the award announcement was "fake news," but an unnamed White House source later acknowledged the denial was premature.

Why it matters

The White House's initial dismissal of the award announcement and subsequent retraction highlights the ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and some high-profile media figures like Maher, who has faced criticism from progressives over his commentary on issues like immigration and social movements.

The details

Maher responded to the award news with humor, joking that it was "like an Emmy, except I win," and referenced Mark Twain's controversial library dismissals. The prize will be presented at one of the Kennedy Center's final public events before its two-year renovation shutdown, with the ceremony set to air on Netflix.

  • The award announcement was made on March 27, 2026.
  • The Kennedy Center ceremony is scheduled to take place before the center's two-year renovation shutdown.

The players

Bill Maher

An American comedian, political commentator, and television host who is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center.

Karoline Leavitt

The White House Press Secretary who initially claimed the award announcement was "fake news."

Steven Cheung

A White House communications representative who also called reports of the award "literally FAKE NEWS" on social media.

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What they’re saying

“like an Emmy, except I win”

— Bill Maher

“anonymous sources with half-baked information leaked to The Atlantic before conversations were finalized”

— Unnamed White House source

What’s next

The Kennedy Center ceremony honoring Bill Maher with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is scheduled to take place before the center's two-year renovation shutdown and will air on Netflix.

The takeaway

The White House's initial denial and subsequent retraction of the award announcement for Bill Maher highlights the ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and some high-profile media figures who have faced criticism from progressives, underscoring the political sensitivities surrounding cultural honors and awards.