Comedians Roast Trump While Honoring Conan O’Brien at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony

Comedians Roast Trump While Honoring Conan O’Brien at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony

Hollywood stars gathered in Washington, D.C. on Sunday for the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, targeting President Donald Trump as they celebrated renowned television host and comedian Conan O’Brien. This gathering occurred shortly after Trump made significant changes to the Kennedy Center’s structure, removing key leadership positions.

In a shocking turn, Trump, who now acts as the Kennedy Center Board Chair, appointed new members to the Board of Trustees including Usha Vance, the second lady, alongside White House officials Susie Wiles and Dan Scavino.

At the Mark Twain Prize ceremony, comedian Sarah Silverman humorously criticized Trump multiple times. During her speech, she referred to a skit from her 2016 appearance on O’Brien’s TBS show where she dressed as Adolf Hitler.

Silverman quipped, “They wrote a bit where Conan interviews Hitler, who comes on because he’s embarrassed that he’s being compared to Donald Trump.” She went on to add, “I am actually not an obvious choice for Hitler. I mean, I am an obvious choice for Hitler. Not an obvious choice to play Hitler. But they chose me, and it’s this way of thinking that makes Conan great again. I just really miss the days when you were America’s only orange a–hole.”

During her speech, Silverman also reminisced about a risqué moment from her 2012 appearance on O’Brien’s show. She captured a sideways photo of O’Brien’s mouth and humorously placed it on her phone in a way that resembled female anatomy, leading TBS to censor the image.

She cheekily instructed the audience to look beneath their seats, where they would discover a copy of the peculiar image of O’Brien’s lips. “You can go ahead and leave those photos on your seat when you go — the guy who took over loves grabbing pussy,” Silverman added. This reference alluded to the infamous 2005 Access Hollywood tape that became widely known in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election.

Other comedians joined the roast, including John Mulaney, who directly addressed Trump’s recent overhaul of the Kennedy Center, humorously suggesting that the building would soon be renamed the Roy Cohn Pavilion for Big, Strong Men Who Love Cats. Mulaney’s reference to Cohn tied back to his history as a notorious lawyer for Trump in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mulaney stated, “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.” His pointed remarks drew laughter from the audience and added to the evening’s spirited atmosphere.

Will Ferrell, a previous recipient of the Mark Twain Prize, took a swipe at Trump’s recent executive order aimed at restructuring the Department of Education. Ferrell jokingly remarked, “I don’t have time for this. You know what I’m supposed to be doing right now? Do you have any idea? I’m supposed to be shutting down the Department of Education.”

Nikki Glaser, who hosted the Golden Globes earlier this year, remarked on the significance of addressing Trump’s shake-up. She emphasized, “I think it’s insane not to address the elephant in the room. And it’s like, it’s insane comedically, to not do that, because it’s, it’s right there.”

Glaser reflected on the political climate, noting it provides comedians a unique opportunity to assume a rebellious stance through humor. “It’s an easy laugh to just say anything about it, but also you get to say something and have a little bit of a rebellious moment, which is always fun,” she stated.

Despite feeling more comfortable addressing political subjects nowadays, Glaser expressed concerns over potential backlash, including death threats and being doxxed. Her hesitance highlights the current climate for entertainers voicing political opinions.

Conan O’Brien himself weighed in on the Kennedy Center shake-up during the ceremony. He thanked former president Deborah Rutter and chairman David Rubenstein. O’Brien acknowledged their dedication and expressed concern for those worried about the future direction of the Center.

O’Brien also took a moment to celebrate Mark Twain, emphasizing the author’s passion for America coupled with his recognition of its flaws. He quoted Twain, stating, “Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government when it deserves it.” O’Brien’s remarks underscored a complex yet patriotic view of American identity.

As O’Brien prepares for his upcoming projects, including hosting the Oscars, he noted that his material will heavily depend on current events. He explained, “I could no more tell you what next year’s Oscars would be now than I could three months out of it, you know, nine months from now.” His adaptability reflects the ever-evolving landscape of comedy.

Other notable recipients of the Mark Twain Prize include humor giants such as Tina Fey, Dave Chappelle, Ellen DeGeneres, Adam Sandler, and Kevin Hart. These figures, like O’Brien, have made substantial contributions to the world of comedy while also navigating the complexities of political discourse.

Overall, the Mark Twain Prize event became not only a celebration of Conan O’Brien but also a poignant reminder of the role that comedy plays in articulating societal issues and political sentiments. As comedians grapple with a tumultuous political landscape, their humor often serves as a form of resistance against the status quo, revealing deep-seated truths through laughter.