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Nikki Glaser recently opened up about her growing concerns regarding political humor, particularly in the current climate of heightened tensions and public scrutiny. Speaking at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor event, Glaser shared her fears about making political jokes, specifically about former President Donald Trump. She explained that she now worries about the real-world consequences of her comedy, mentioning the possibility of receiving death threats or even being detained due to her jokes.
Her candid remarks reflect a broader shift in how comedians approach political humor, as the fear of backlash, doxxing, or legal trouble has become a very real concern. She admitted that it was unfortunate but acknowledged that the environment now made her think twice before diving into certain topics. Despite these challenges, Glaser expressed her hope that comedians would not face severe consequences for their jokes, offering a defense that her comedic intent should be understood as just that—humor. “I hope they all know I can be up on the gallows and say I was just joking. I’m a comedian,” she added.
The ceremony, where Glaser spoke, marked one of the first major events at the Kennedy Center since Trump took control, leading to significant changes, such as firing board members appointed by President Biden and making himself chairman. These shifts sparked speculation about how future honorees would be selected, especially since many comedians have openly criticized Trump.
This year’s recipient, Conan O’Brien, was chosen before these leadership changes took place. While O’Brien had no control over the jokes made by fellow comedians at the event, several of them took the opportunity to joke about Trump’s influence over the Kennedy Center. Stephen Colbert humorously claimed that two new board members had been announced: Bashar al-Assad and Skeletor, while John Mulaney suggested that the Kennedy Center might soon be renamed the Roy Cohn Pavilion for “big, strong men.” The political climate was a dominant theme during the evening, with some even joking that this could be the last Mark Twain Prize event in such an atmosphere.
Despite the political tensions, the event showcased comedians’ ability to find humor even in such challenging times, making light of the situation while highlighting the ongoing fears many in the comedy community now face.