Hollywood jabs Trump while celebrating Conan O’Brien amid Kennedy Center shake-up
Members of Hollywood took shots at President Donald Trump on Sunday while gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to honor television host and comedian Conan O’Brien. This event comes just weeks after Trump made significant changes to the structure of the Kennedy Center, where he now serves as the Board Chair after removing the center’s leadership in February.
Among the attendees at the event, comedian Sarah Silverman didn’t hold back in her criticism of Trump. She referenced a 2016 appearance on Conan on TBS where she dressed up as Nazi leader Adolf Hitler to highlight the comparison between Hitler and Trump. Silverman, who is Jewish, humorously noted that she may not be an obvious choice to play Hitler, but she was chosen for the role nonetheless. She also joked about missing the days when Trump was America’s “only orange a–hole.”
Silverman also reminisced about a controversial moment on Conan in 2012 when she placed a photo of O’Brien’s mouth between her legs, prompting TBS to censor the image due to its resemblance to female genitalia. She then made a not-so-subtle reference to Trump’s infamous Access Hollywood tape, where he boasted about groping women.
Other comedians at the event, such as John Mulaney and Will Ferrell, also took jabs at Trump and his recent actions. Mulaney joked about the possibility of the Kennedy Center being renamed after Roy Cohn, a figure with ties to Trump. Ferrell, who previously won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, made light of Trump’s executive order to upend the Department of Education.
Comedian Nikki Glaser, who hosted the Golden Globes, acknowledged the political atmosphere and the importance of addressing the elephant in the room. She noted the opportunity for comedians to make rebellious statements through their humor, but also expressed concerns about potential backlash for discussing politics.
Conan O’Brien himself addressed the Kennedy Center shake-up and thanked the center’s former leadership for their work. He also paid tribute to author Mark Twain, after whom the award is named, highlighting Twain’s patriotism and critical view of the government.
Overall, the event was a mix of humor, political commentary, and celebration of O’Brien’s comedic legacy. The comedians’ remarks reflected the current political climate and the role of humor in addressing important issues. O’Brien teased his upcoming hosting duties at the Oscars, indicating that his material will depend on current events and the evolving landscape of politics and entertainment.
