Conan O'Brien delivered a speech at the Kennedy Center while accepting the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, subtly criticizing the current administration. O'Brien praised Mark Twain's core principles of hating bullies, being critical of oneself, and empathizing with marginalized groups. He emphasized the power of comedy to punch up and side with the weak and powerless. O'Brien's speech was a political argument wrapped inside an artistic one, highlighting the importance of speaking truth to power. The evening also included performances from other comedians and ended with a surreal twist involving multiple Mark Twain impersonators.