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The new board installed Trump as chairman and named his ally Ric Grennell as the center’s interim president after firing longtime President Deborah Rutter.

It was Rutter who lauded O’Brien’s selection for the Mark Twain prize when it was first announced in January.

O’Brien respectfully tipped his hat to Rutter during the ceremony, saying, “My thanks to the people who invited me here, several months ago: David Rubenstein and Deborah Rutter. I don’t know why they aren’t here tonight. I lost Wi-Fi in January. I’m guessing they’re in traffic.”

The founder and director of the Cambridge Singers, Sir John Rutter, whose work has been performed all over the world, will be granted a doctorate in music.

Monday marks the first time Trump has convened the board since his February takeover of the center after ousting all board members appointed by former President Joe Biden and firing the center’s longtime president, Deborah F. Rutter.