Bill Maher expressed a tongue-in-cheek admiration for former President Donald Trump's efforts to block him from receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center. During his podcast, Maher quipped it was nice to be honored, "unless Trump f*cks it up again."
More seriously, Maher stated, "I love it that they tried to block it. I love that he takes the game seriously. Like no, 'I'm going to block this guy.' I respect the move." He remains confident the award ceremony on June 28th will proceed.
The announcement in March that Maher would receive the prize was initially called "FAKE NEWS" by Trump's White House. Their famously rocky relationship has included Trump signing a framed list of his own insults against Maher, though it has soured again recently.