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Not Even Trump Could Ruin Bill Maher’s Night
If you read certain accounts, you’d be under the impression that last night’s presentation of the Mark Twain Prize to comedian Bill Maher was actually all about Donald Trump. (Paul Morigi via Getty Images)
The comedian won the Mark Twain Prize last night because, like every recipient, he’s not afraid of pissing everyone off.
By Kat Rosenfield
06.29.26 — Culture and Ideas
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If you read certain accounts, you’d be under the impression that last night’s presentation of the Mark Twain Prize—to comedian Bill Maher—was actually all about Donald Trump.

The Daily Beast: “Donald Trump Humiliated with Wild Epstein Joke at Kennedy Center.” The New York Times: “Even Absent, Trump Takes the Spotlight at a Night Celebrating Bill Maher.” The Washington Post: “President Donald Trump’s name is off the Kennedy Center, but on Sunday night, he was all anyone at the performing arts venue could talk about.”

This is all, to use a certain president’s favorite term of art, fake news.

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Kat Rosenfield
Culture writer, novelist, and podcaster. On Twitter at @katrosenfield.
Tags:
Donald Trump
Free Speech
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