Bill Maher has criticised musicians and artists who have pulled out of Kennedy Center performances in protest at Donald Trump's involvement with the venue, calling the move "stupid". The comedian and talk show host made the comments after himself accepting the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour, a leading honour presented at the Kennedy Center, suggesting artists should engage with cultural institutions rather than boycott them over political disagreements.

Maher's remarks come amid a wider row over Trump's efforts to put his stamp on the Kennedy Center, which several high-profile performers have responded to by cancelling scheduled appearances. His comments align with previous positions he has taken distancing himself from what he views as reflexive anti-Trump stances within entertainment and political circles, including recent remarks about California taxation and the Democratic Party's leftward drift.