Jimmy Kimmel has never been known for holding back when it comes to Donald Trump — and on Sunday night, he proved once again that his gloves are firmly off.

Accepting the award for Best Talk Show at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, the longtime host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! used his moment in the spotlight not just to celebrate his team, but to deliver another sharp-edged jab at the former president — a jab that instantly reignited America’s ongoing culture war over comedy, politics, and free speech.

Standing on stage to applause, Kimmel opened his acceptance speech with a grin and a pointed joke: “The FIFA Peace Prize would’ve been better, but this is also nice.” The line was a clear reference to a controversial honorary award Donald Trump received late last year from the international soccer federation — an accolade that critics derided as absurd and self-congratulatory.

But Kimmel wasn’t done.

Moments later, he turned directly to Trump himself — now back in the Oval Office — and delivered the line that would dominate headlines the next morning.

“Above all, I want to thank our president. Thank you for all the stupid things you do every single day,” Kimmel said, drawing loud laughter and applause from the audience. “Without you, we’d be going home empty-handed tonight.”

The remark, equal parts punchline and political statement, underscored a truth that both Kimmel’s supporters and critics recognize: few figures in modern American politics have provided as much fuel for late-night television as Donald Trump.

A Victory After a Turbulent Year

Kimmel’s win was notable not just for what he said, but for when it happened.

Just months earlier, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was temporarily pulled off the air by ABC following intense backlash over jokes Kimmel made referencing the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The remarks sparked outrage among right-wing commentators, calls for boycotts, and fierce debate over whether comedy should have limits — especially when politics and tragedy collide.

ABC’s decision to remove Kimmel from the air for several days was widely interpreted as a corporate attempt to defuse controversy. For Kimmel, it was a moment he later described as a “near-death experience” for his show.

That context made Sunday night’s award feel like vindication.

As part of his acceptance speech, Kimmel dramatically unfurled a comically long list of prepared remarks that spilled onto the stage floor — a visual gag meant to suggest he had a lot to say after being silenced.

“Thank you to the writers, actors, producers, and union members,” Kimmel said. “So many of you stood by us and reminded us that we don’t take freedom of speech in this city — or in this country — for granted.”

The line drew one of the loudest ovations of the evening.

A Long-Running Feud With Trump

Kimmel’s hostility toward Trump is nothing new.

Since Trump’s first term began, Kimmel has been among the most vocal critics in late-night television, often using monologues to dissect Trump’s speeches, policies, and personal behavior. Unlike some hosts who occasionally strike a bipartisan tone, Kimmel has made his opposition unmistakably clear — a stance that has earned him both praise and fury.

Trump, for his part, has repeatedly lashed out at late-night comedians, labeling them “talentless,” “deranged,” and “enemies of the people.” He has previously suggested networks should cancel or replace hosts who criticize him, including Stephen Colbert — whom Trump once said “should be put to sleep,” a remark that itself drew condemnation.

Sunday night’s speech therefore felt less like a one-off joke and more like the latest chapter in an entrenched rivalry.

Comedy, Politics, and the American Divide

Reactions to Kimmel’s remarks were swift and polarized.

Supporters hailed the speech as fearless, cathartic, and emblematic of comedy’s role in holding power to account. Many praised Kimmel for doubling down after controversy rather than retreating.

Critics, however, accused him of arrogance, hypocrisy, and exploiting tragedy for applause. Conservative commentators argued that Kimmel’s speech proved networks protect left-leaning comedians while punishing dissenting voices.

Social media quickly filled with competing narratives: clips of the speech paired with cheering emojis on one side, and calls for boycotts on the other.

What neither side disputes is Kimmel’s cultural relevance.

At a time when late-night television faces declining ratings and shifting audiences, moments like this — provocative, political, viral — are precisely what keep the genre alive.

Why This Moment Matters

Kimmel’s speech tapped into a deeper national conversation about who gets to speak, what comedy is allowed to say, and whether entertainment can ever truly be separated from politics.

In accepting his award, Kimmel didn’t just thank his staff — he framed his victory as a defense of expression itself, implicitly rejecting the idea that controversy should lead to silence.

Whether one views him as courageous or reckless often depends less on comedy taste than on political identity.

And that, perhaps, is the point.

As America enters another deeply polarized year, Jimmy Kimmel has made clear that he has no intention of dialing it back — and Donald Trump remains, willingly or not, one of his most reliable punchlines.

FAQs

Q: What award did Jimmy Kimmel win at the Critics Choice Awards 2026?

A: Jimmy Kimmel Live! won Best Talk Show, marking a major achievement after a year of controversy.

Q: What exactly did Kimmel say about Donald Trump?

A: Kimmel thanked Trump sarcastically, saying: “Thank you for all the stupid things you do every single day.”

Q: Why was Jimmy Kimmel recently taken off the air?

A: ABC temporarily suspended his show following backlash over jokes referencing the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Q: Has Kimmel criticized Trump before?

A: Yes. Kimmel has been one of Trump’s most vocal critics in late-night television since Trump’s first term.

Q: How did audiences react to the speech?

A: Reactions were sharply divided, with supporters praising Kimmel’s boldness and critics accusing him of political bias and insensitivity.

Q: Did Donald Trump respond to Kimmel’s comments?

A: As of now, Trump has not issued a direct response to the Critics Choice Awards remarks.