Top Comedians Roast Trump at Kennedy Center as Conan O’Brien Receives Prestigious Honor
Washington, D.C. — The Kennedy Center was on fire last night—not literally, but with searing comedic jabs— as some of the world’s top comedians took the stage to celebrate Conan O’Brien and take down Donald Trump in the process.
O’Brien, the beloved late-night legend, was being honored with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and his fellow comics took full advantage of the moment to unload on the former president. The event, traditionally a night of celebration and camaraderie, turned into a full-scale roast of Trump, much to the delight of the audience.
A Night of Comedy, With Trump as the Punchline
John Mulaney, known for his sharp wit, set the tone early, joking:
“It’s an honor to be here at the Kennedy Center, or as it will be known next week, the ‘Roy Cohn Pavilion for Big, Strong Men Who Love Cats.’”
The crowd erupted in laughter, as Mulaney referenced Trump’s close association with Cohn, the infamous lawyer, while also taking a subtle jab at Trump’s peculiar fixation with strongmen and his well-documented love for cats.
Other comedians followed suit, with Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, and Jon Stewart delivering their own cutting remarks about the former president.
Colbert quipped, “Conan’s had a long career of making people laugh—unlike Trump, who has a long career of making people nervous.”
Tina Fey added: “Conan is proof that hard work and intelligence pay off. Trump is proof that you can fail upward if you just keep yelling.”
Trump’s Influence Looms Over the Kennedy Center
The humor took on an even sharper edge given recent concerns about Trump’s influence over American cultural institutions. Reports had surfaced of MAGA loyalists attempting to assert control over the Kennedy Center, a venue historically associated with celebrating the arts and free speech.
Despite these tensions, the event made it clear that the comedy world remains unafraid to challenge Trump and his movement. If anything, the night was a defiant reminder that humor remains one of the strongest tools against authoritarianism.
As O’Brien took the stage to accept his award, he couldn’t resist taking a final dig:
“I want to thank everyone here tonight. This is an incredible honor. And to those worried about the future, don’t be—because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that comedy will outlast any orange a**hole.”
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, cementing the evening as a triumphant moment for comedy, free speech, and a well-deserved celebration of O’Brien’s legendary career.
