White House staffers forced to walk back denials after Bill Maher was confirmed to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, according to Politico reporting.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially claimed the award announcement was "fake news," with communications representative Steven Cheung calling reports "literally FAKE NEWS" on social media as well.
However, an unnamed White House source later acknowledged the denial was premature, stating "anonymous sources with half-baked information leaked to The Atlantic before conversations were finalized."
Maher responded with humor, joking that the award was "like an Emmy, except I win," and referenced Mark Twain's controversial library dismissals.
Trump previously called Maher a "jerk" and "highly overrated lightweight" on Truth Social.
The prize will be presented at one of the Kennedy Center's final public events before its two-year renovation shutdown, with the ceremony set to air on Netflix. Maher has faced progressive criticism over commentary on immigration, cancel culture, and social movements.
Watch the video below.