Whoopi Goldberg announced she will not visit the Kennedy Center for the foreseeable future after Donald Trump was elected chair of the prestigious arts venue. This declaration came during a recent episode of "The View," where Goldberg expressed her discontent with Trump’s leadership.
The announcement follows Trump’s significant changes to the Kennedy Center’s structure, which included removing its previous leadership earlier this year. Alongside Trump, new board members include Usha Vance, the second lady, and key White House staffers Susie Wiles and Dan Scavino.
Goldberg’s comments coincided with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor event held in Washington, D.C., where Hollywood gathered to honor comedian Conan O’Brien. During the event, several comedians, including Sarah Silverman, took jabs at Trump. Silverman referenced a past appearance on O’Brien’s show, where she dressed as Adolf Hitler, humorously comparing the Nazi leader to Trump.
She remarked, "They wrote a bit where Conan interviews Hitler, who comes on because he’s embarrassed that he’s being compared to Donald Trump." Silverman, who is Jewish, added, "I just really miss the days when you were America’s only orange a–hole."
John Mulaney also made a quip about Trump’s recent actions, joking that the Kennedy Center might soon be renamed the "Roy Cohn Pavilion for Big, Strong Men Who Love Cats." Cohn, a controversial lawyer, had ties to Trump and was known for his role in the McCarthy hearings.
Will Ferrell, another comedian at the event, poked fun at Trump’s recent executive orders, saying, "You know what I’m supposed to be doing right now? I’m supposed to be shutting down the Department of Education."
Nikki Glaser, who hosted the Golden Globes earlier this year, emphasized the importance of addressing current political issues during the ceremony. She mentioned that it would be "insane" not to discuss Trump’s shake-up at the Kennedy Center, while also acknowledging the event’s purpose of celebrating O’Brien.
O’Brien himself addressed the Kennedy Center’s changes, thanking former president Deborah Rutter and chairman David Rubenstein. He also paid homage to Mark Twain, stating, "Twain was a patriot in the best sense of the word," and highlighted the importance of supporting the country while holding the government accountable.
As the political climate continues to shift, comedians like Glaser are finding opportunities to address these changes in their work. She noted that while it’s easy to make jokes about politics, it’s also important to strike a balance and not alienate audiences.
The event showcased a blend of humor and serious commentary, reflecting the current state of American politics and its impact on the arts.