Despite comedian Conan O’Brien being the headline act at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night, there was another famous “orange a--hole” on everyone’s lips.
Comedians took to the stage to honor O’Brien, 61, as he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor—which, according to its website, honors “one of the world’s greatest humorists.”
And while there was initial doubt as to whether the name of the man trying to reshape the prestigious arts center in his own image would be named, it soon immediately became clear. President Donald Trump was fair game.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s an honor to be here at the Kennedy Center, or as it will be known next week, the ‘Roy Cohn Pavilion for Big, Strong Men Who Love Cats,’” comedian John Mulaney quipped on stage.
The hits subsequently kept coming with appearances from David Letterman, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman and more.
“I just really miss the days when you were America’s only orange a--hole,” Silverman told O’Brien, according to The Daily Mail‘s Emily Goodin. The audience “burst into loud applause,” according to the Mail, claiming O’Brien “was visibly laughing.”
Traditionally, Mark Twain recipients are honored with accolades and commendations from fellow high-profile celebrities, who take the stage one by one to crack jokes about the honoree and others in attendance.
Other recipients have included Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, and Lily Tomlin.
“There is no more fitting recipient getting the last-ever Twain Prize here at the Robert F. Kennedy Center,” actor and comedian Martin Short told O’Brien via video.
According to reporters on scene, there were hints of Trump’s presence across the building as the president tightens his grip on the arts hub.
He named himself as the Kennedy Center chairman in February and never looked back. In the weeks since, he has installed allies and reshaped the board in his image.
O’Brien was named as the recipient of the Mark Twain prize in mid-January, weeks before Trump began making his moves against longtime Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter and board chairman David Rubenstein.
O’Brien told The Hill’s Judy Kurtz on the red carpet of Trump’s remake: “Only he knows his priorities best. There’s a lot going on in the world, but probably taking control of the Kennedy Center should be at the top of the list.”
I asked @ConanOBrien his reaction to President Trump’s @kencen shakeup. Conan quipped of Trump, “Only he knows his priorities best. There's a lot going on in the world, but probably taking control of the Kennedy Center should be at the top of the list.” pic.twitter.com/LwMHhGpz5M
— Judy Kurtz (@JudyKurtz) March 23, 2025
Late-night host Stephen Colbert highlighted the changes during his time on stage, adding that the institution had become “a very different place” than it was just a few years ago.
“Today, they announced two board members: Bashar al-Assad and Skeletor,” Colbert quipped.
In a scene parodying O’Brien’s viral Hot Ones episode, Colbert appeared on stage Sunday with the full chicken wings set-up.
“In light of the new leadership at the Kennedy Center, all of these are right wings,” Colbert joked.
David Letterman, a 2017 Mark Twain Prize winner, added his thoughts: “I’m not a historian, but I believe that history will show this will be the most entertaining gathering of the resistance ever.”
Speaking on stage while accepting the award, O’Brien name-checked Rubenstein, the institution’s former board chair, to “huge applause” from the audience.
“Thanks to my people who invited me here a few months ago: Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein,” he said.
“Honestly, I don’t know why they aren’t here tonight. I lost Wi Fi in January—guessing they’re in traffic,” O’Brien continued. “And a special thanks to all the beautiful people who have worked here at the Kennedy Center for years and who are worried about what the future might bring,” he added, to a standing ovation from the audience.
“Twain was a patriot in the best sense of the world. He loved America, but knew it was deeply flawed. Twain wrote, ’Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government when it deserves it.’ Now, some of you, some of you might be thinking, ‘What does this have to do with comedy?’” he said. “Twain is funny and important today because his comedy is a hilarious celebration of our fears, our ineptitude, and the glorious mess of being human.”
While a number of Trump aides were seen at the event, the president did not attend, and has not commented on the awards night.
The awards night will air exclusively on Netflix, though a date is yet to be announced.
