“Real Time” host Bill Maher reacted to the news that he will be receiving the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor after White House communications director Steven Cheung had called the prospect “FAKE NEWS.”

“I just want things to work out, and also I say thank you. I’m not looking for a fight, and I’m not mad that he did this. You know what, me and the president, we have a complicated relationship. Goes back to the orangutan lawsuit,” Maher said, referring to a lawsuit Trump filed in 2013 when the comedian joked the now-president was the son of an orangutan. “This has been going on a long time, so him trying to block me from getting it, I respect the move.”

Maher encouraged Trump to “keep the game going, baby,” alluding to a series of insults Trump threw his way in a lengthy TruthSocial post last month.

“I’m all about engagement, disengagement gets you nothing,” Maher said. “Even though I see that we’re back to him calling me a ‘jerk’ and I’m a ‘lightweight ratings loser.’ Get it off your chest, big man, I’m totally fine with it.”

Maher said he added Trump’s latest insults to his list of disparaging things the president has called him over the years. According to Maher, Trump signed that list during his visit to the White House last year.

“So I would just like to say as a low ratings lightweight, and a rather dumb guy, and a pathetic bloated sleazebag, a dummy, a terrible student, a nervous failing comedian and someone who is sick, insane, very sad, totally shot and a crazy maniac. I am honored to accept the Mark Twain award. Thank you very much,” Maher said.