Whoopi Goldberg made headlines recently when she announced her decision to avoid the Kennedy Center for the foreseeable future. The co-host of "The View" expressed her discontent after former President Donald Trump was appointed as the chair of the prestigious Washington D.C. arts venue.
Goldberg’s comments came during a time when many in Hollywood were gathered in D.C. to celebrate comedian Conan O’Brien at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. This event highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding Trump’s changes to the Kennedy Center, which included a shake-up of its leadership earlier this year.
At the ceremony, several comedians took the opportunity to take jabs at Trump. Sarah Silverman, for instance, referenced a controversial segment from her past where she dressed as Adolf Hitler during an appearance on O’Brien’s show. She humorously noted that the character was embarrassed to be compared to Trump, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
Silverman also made light of Trump’s infamous leaked Access Hollywood tape, jokingly suggesting that attendees leave photos of O’Brien’s mouth on their seats, a nod to the tape’s shocking content. Other comedians, like John Mulaney, poked fun at the Kennedy Center’s new direction, suggesting it might soon be renamed after Roy Cohn, a controversial figure linked to Trump.
Will Ferrell, another comedian at the event, humorously remarked on Trump’s recent executive order affecting the Department of Education, showing that the political climate was a hot topic among attendees. Nikki Glaser, who hosted the Golden Globes, emphasized that ignoring Trump’s influence at such a gathering would be "insane," noting the current atmosphere provides comedians with a unique chance to address political issues.
O’Brien himself acknowledged the changes at the Kennedy Center, thanking former president Deborah Rutter and chairman David Rubenstein for their contributions while expressing concern for the future of the venue. He also paid tribute to Mark Twain, the award’s namesake, emphasizing Twain’s belief in patriotism and the importance of holding the government accountable.
As the night unfolded, it was clear that the political situation and Trump’s involvement in the arts were at the forefront of many minds, making for a memorable evening filled with humor and pointed commentary.