Overview
- Two people familiar with the process told The Atlantic that Maher was chosen for this year’s Mark Twain Prize, with one source expecting an announcement soon.
- A third source said an offer was extended and that President Trump was supportive, though it was unclear whether Maher accepted.
- The White House declined to comment, and the decision could be reversed before it is made public.
- The reported pick arrives after Trump replaced Kennedy Center trustees, the board added his name to the institution, and a two‑year renovation pause is slated to begin in July.
- Maher’s on‑off dynamic with Trump—highlighted by a 2025 White House dinner arranged by Kid Rock and fresh barbs on Truth Social—frames a selection for a ceremony that typically streams on Netflix and historically does not include a presidential appearance.