Conan O’Brien Decries ‘Bullies’ While Receiving Mark Twain Prize

Comedian Delivers Scathing Critique of Trump Administration

Conan O’Brien accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday with a not-so-subtle broadside against President Donald Trump, whose takeover of the Kennedy Center, which awarded the prize, has shaken the arts world.

Conan O’Brien at the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humour Celebrating Conan O’Brien in Washington on March 23. (AP pic)

A Host of Comedians Attend the Event

A host of comedians, including David Letterman, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, and Stephen Colbert, celebrated O’Brien for comic greatness while ribbing the Trump administration and putting a spotlight on the renowned arts facility that is now overseen by Trump allies.

O’Brien’s Scathing Critique of Trump

But it was O’Brien, the longtime late-night television host and comedy writer, who aimed his comments most directly at the Republican president without using his name.

“Twain hated bullies,” O’Brien said. “He punched up, not down. And he deeply, deeply empathized with the weak.”

“Twain Was Allergic to Hypocrisy”

O’Brien described the award’s namesake as “allergic to hypocrisy” and suspicious of populism and imperialism. “He loved America but knew it was deeply flawed,” O’Brien said.

Trump’s Impact on the Kennedy Center

Trump, who came into office in January, has spent the last two months implementing much of the populist agenda that helped him get elected last year while advocating for U.S. annexation of Canada and Greenland, firing federal workers, and deporting migrants who were in the United States illegally.

Comedians Take Aim at Trump Administration

The show was the first signature event at the Kennedy Center since Trump announced he would become chairman of the institution, pushing out billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein.

Comedy Giant

Other comedians joked that this would be the last Mark Twain Prize awarded by the Center.

John Mulaney cracked that the facility, which is seen as a memorial to slain former President John F Kennedy, would be renamed after Roy Cohn, a political fixer known for his role in Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist scare campaigns of the 1950s, and a lawyer for Trump in his early years in business.

Conclusion

O’Brien’s acceptance speech was a powerful indictment of the Trump administration’s actions, and his words were met with applause from the audience. The event marked a rare moment of levity in a tumultuous time for the arts, and O’Brien’s commitment to honoring the legacy of Mark Twain was a beacon of hope for those who value freedom of expression and artistic integrity.

FAQs

* What is the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor?
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is an annual award that recognizes outstanding contributions to American comedy.
* Who has won the Mark Twain Prize in the past?
Previous winners of the Mark Twain Prize include Kevin Hart, Sandler, Jon Stewart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Carol Burnett.
* What is the current state of the Kennedy Center under Trump’s leadership?
The Kennedy Center has been the subject of controversy since Trump’s takeover, with many critics questioning the motives behind his appointment as chairman.
* How can I watch the Mark Twain Prize ceremony?
The show will be available for viewing on Netflix on May 4.