Conan O’Brien Defends Attending Kennedy Center Mark Twain Event Despite Trump Controversy: ‘I Felt Like It Was Important’

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Conan O’Brien has expressed his thoughts on choosing to attend the Kennedy Center‘s March 23 ceremony, where he will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, following the election of President Donald Trump onto the board.

For the past couple of months under the new administration, there’s been some contentious events at the Kennedy Center,” O’Brien remarked on his recent podcast episode of “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.” “I found myself wondering if I should attend or not. In the end, I felt it was crucial to be present.

O’Brien shared that he received recognition from the previous administration, and felt it was appropriate to respect their choice. Notably, this occasion marked the first national event at the Kennedy Center since the departure of chair David Rubenstein and president Deborah Rutter, following President Donald Trump’s appointment in February.

In the podcast, O’Brien added that long-time employees at the Kennedy Center were “thrilled” to see him. He explained, “These young people are uncertain about their future. I’ve spoken with many of them and I feel deeply for what they’re going through.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself in awe at the award ceremony where there were a few witty remarks and gentle jabs directed at the current administration, reminiscent of Mark Twain himself. Even the esteemed fellow laureate, Will Ferrell, couldn’t resist poking fun: “Apparently, my next role is to close down the Department of Education.

More recently, O’Brien has been announced as the host for the 97th Academy Awards, with plans for him to return as host next year following a favorable reaction. The Kennedy Center event at which David Letterman awarded O’Brien will be broadcast on Netflix starting May 4.

Watch the official episode of the podcast below.

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2025-04-03 22:46