Conan O’Brien to Receive Mark Twain Prize Amid Kennedy Center Drama

Emmy-winning host Conan O’Brien is set to receive the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night, amid significant leadership upheaval at the cultural institution.

Newsweek reached out to a press contact for O’Brien via email on Sunday for comment.

Why It Matters

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump fired much of the center’s board of trustees, including chairman David M. Rubenstein, and subsequently named himself as the new chairman.

The Kennedy Center, established in 1971 as the United States’ national cultural center, is undergoing its most significant leadership change in decades. The situation has created tension in the arts community, with some artists canceling appearances while others have used their performances to make political statements.

The controversy threatens to overshadow O’Brien’s achievement as he joins the ranks of comedy legends like David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Carol Burnett.

What To Know

O’Brien, 61, was named the recipient in January, shortly before Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center board.

The former Harvard Lampoon editor and writer for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons rose to prominence in 1993 when he replaced David Letterman on Late Night. After 16 years, O’Brien briefly hosted The Tonight Show before an intensely public dispute with NBC led to his departure.

He has since found success with shows on TBS, podcasts, and travel series, recently receiving acclaim for hosting the Academy Awards.

What Is The Kennedy Center?

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was opened in 1971, by then-President Nixon, in tribute to JFK, a lifelong advocate for the arts before his assassination.

Serving as the United States’ national cultural center, in Washington D.C. it is one of the country’s premier destinations for the performing arts, featuring a wide range of performances, including theater, ballet, music, and opera.

The Kennedy Center offers educational programs and hosts the annual Kennedy Center Honors to celebrate significant contributions to the arts in America.

Conan O'Brien — TV personality Conan O’Brien speaks onstage during the 2015 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute Honoring Steve Martin at the Dolby Theatre on June 4, 2015 in Hollywood, California.

Lester Cohen/WireImage

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump: “The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation.”

Republicans against Trump: “We’re rapidly looking more and more like a totalitarian country. Trump just purged the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees…”

Mike Nellis, former senior advisor to Kamala Harris, posted on X: “Trump appointing himself Chair of the Kennedy Center makes sense when you remember Musk is running the country and he’s bored as hell.”

Collin Rugg, news personality and co-owner of Trending Politics, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ” Trump terminates the chairman of the Kennedy Center in D.C., appoints himself as the new chairman then immediately bans drag shows targeting youth. One of the greatest trolls of all time.”