Conan O'Brien Attends Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize Amid Trump Controversy

Conan O'Brien ultimately decided to attend the March 23 ceremony at the Kennedy Center to accept the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, despite his initial hesitation due to the controversial takeover by President Donald Trump. On his podcast, O'Brien expressed the importance of honoring the previous administration that selected him for the award, stating, "we should honor their decision." The event was marked by jabs at Trump from fellow comedians, reflecting the tense atmosphere surrounding the arts center following the president's firings of board members and his self-appointment as chairman. O'Brien highlighted his empathy for the young Kennedy Center staff uncertain about their futures and described the evening as both significant and not a typical event. Additionally, he noted that the humor shared during the ceremony served to uplift spirits amidst the ongoing turmoil. The ceremony will air on Netflix later this year.