Bill Maher roasts his Trump feud during Mark Twain Prize ceremony

Bill Maher might be getting a taste of his comedic karma.

The outspoken TV host and political commentator, who's had a turbulent relationship with President Donald Trump in recent months, was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday, June 28, at The Kennedy Center.

Maher, 70, has been a frequent critic of Trump, though he drew criticism from Democrats last year after he had dinner with the president at the White House. Maher reported back to viewers that Trump was surprisingly personable in private, sparking backlash among Trump critics like "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star Larry David.

Almost a year later, Trump posted on Truth Social in February that the dinner was a "waste of time," adding that Maher's HBO talk show, "Real Time with Bill Maher," has been "very boring" and "anti-Trump" ever since. Maher hit back that Trump seemed to expect he would stop criticizing him after they sat down together.

Maher's feud with Trump was prime fodder during his Mark Twain Prize ceremony. Moments after beginning his acceptance speech, comedian Matt Friend – known for his impersonations of the president – cut off Maher's remarks to inform the audience that he would be accepting the award instead.

"Hold on, Bill – I'm going to let you finish," Friend said, according to The New York Times. "Why are we giving this low-ratings, lightweight jerk the Mark Twain award?"

For his part, Maher played along with the interruption, taking part in a back-and-forth with Friend onstage.

"I know we've had our differences, but I'm finally getting an award. Can you just let me have my moment?" said Maher, per The Times. He later feigned giving up the award to Friend in defeat. "Just take it," he added.

The Mark Twain Prize's celebration of Maher stirred controversy in Washington amid his strained relationship with President Trump.

In March, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that the comedian would receive the award after The Atlantic reported the news of his selection. "This is fake news," Leavitt told the outlet. "Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award."

During his acceptance speech Sunday, Maher criticized the "groupthink" of partisan politics and embraced his penchant for pushing buttons among Democrats and Republicans.

"My message to them is simple: If you want to not get mocked, stop being funny," Maher said, according to The New York Times and The Associated Press. "If you hang around long enough and create something important enough, everyone hates you at some point."

The ceremony comes just before The Kennedy Center is set to shut down in July for two years to undergo reconstruction. Maher poked fun at the extensive renovations during a red-carpet interview with APT.

"It's a beautiful building," Maher said. "I mean, they keep talking about how we need to renovate it. It looks perfectly fine to me. I'm not saying it's a scam; I'm not saying it's not. I do not see one thing that needs renovation. It's pristine."

Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY