SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel used his platform at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards to take a pointed jab at President Donald Trump, mockingly thanking him during an acceptance speech for winning Best Talk Show. The event, held on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, drew a crowd of entertainment industry figures as Kimmel's Jimmy Kimmel Live! was honored for its sharp wit and cultural commentary amid a turbulent year.
Kimmel, known for his blend of humor and political satire, opened his remarks with a nod to a recent accolade bestowed upon the president. "A FIFA Peace Prize would have been better, but this is nice, too," he said, alluding to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's decision to award Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in early December 2025. The prize, which celebrated Trump's efforts in international diplomacy through sports, had sparked widespread debate about its legitimacy and timing.
Turning directly to the audience, Kimmel continued his satirical tribute. "Most of all, I want to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump, without whom we would be going home empty-handed tonight," he quipped, using the feminized version of Trump's name to underscore what he portrayed as the administration's outlandish policies. The line drew laughter and applause from the crowd, highlighting the ongoing tension between late-night television and the White House.
Kimmel didn't stop there, extending his gratitude with a broader critique. "Thank you, Mr. President, for all the many ridiculous things you do each and every day," he added. "It's been a banner couple of weeks, and we can't wait to get back on the air tomorrow night to talk about them. Thank you, everyone." The comments came just days after Trump announced the creation of the "Trump-class" battleship during a media statement at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 22, 2025, a move critics labeled as self-aggrandizing military posturing.
Behind the humor lay a more serious backdrop for Kimmel's show. In September 2025, Jimmy Kimmel Live! faced a brief suspension following controversial remarks Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The incident, which involved Kimmel questioning Kirk's influence on youth politics during a monologue, prompted complaints to the Federal Communications Commission and led to a temporary halt in production. According to reports, the suspension lasted only a few days, after which Kimmel returned to the airwaves, but it marked a low point in an already challenging year for the program.
During his acceptance speech, Kimmel took a moment to acknowledge the support he received during that ordeal. "Thanks to all the writers and actors and producers and union members, many of you who are in this room, who supported us, who really stepped forward and reminded us that we do not take free speech for granted in this city or in this country," he said. "Your actions were important. We appreciate that." The shoutout underscored the entertainment industry's solidarity in the face of regulatory scrutiny, a theme that has resonated since the FCC's involvement in broadcast content disputes intensified under the current administration.
Kimmel also expressed personal thanks to his wife, Molly McNearney, and the show's producers, crediting them for steering the program through ups and downs. He shared the award with fellow late-night hosts, including those from competing shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, emphasizing a collective resilience in the genre. This camaraderie comes at a time when late-night television has increasingly become a battleground for political discourse, with hosts frequently clashing with conservative figures and policies.
The Critics Choice Awards victory wasn't Kimmel's first nod to industry excellence, but it arrived amid heightened scrutiny of his show. FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, is set to face his first Senate grilling since the Kimmel saga unfolded, according to sources familiar with the proceedings. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns over the balance between free speech and broadcast standards, with Democrats pushing for protections against what they call overreach and Republicans defending regulatory oversight.
A top Disney executive, which owns ABC and airs Kimmel's show, provided some clarity on the suspension's origins. In a recent statement, the executive revealed that the White House did not exert pressure on the decision. "We didn't hear from them," the executive said, suggesting the pause was an internal network choice rather than a direct result of political interference. This account contrasts with some media speculation that tied the incident more closely to administration influence, though no evidence of such involvement has been confirmed.
Reflecting on the year's trials, Kimmel had grown emotional during his final episode of 2025, broadcast in late December. In an end-of-year thank-you message to viewers, he addressed the audience directly from the studio. "It has been a hard year. We’ve had some lows. We’ve had some highs — for me, maybe more than any year of my life, but all of us — I’m crying already, sorry," he said, his voice breaking. "But on behalf of all of us here at our show, I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm, and not just for watching. This year you literally pulled us out of a hole, and we cannot thank you enough personally, professionally..."
Even in that heartfelt moment, Kimmel wove in subtle commentary on the national mood. "There is still much more good in this country than bad, and we hope that you will bear with us during this extended psychotic episode that we’re in the middle of," he told viewers. "And we wish you a happy whatever holiday you celebrate, even if it’s none of the above." The remark, delivered with a mix of sincerity and sarcasm, appeared to reference the polarized political climate, including Trump's re-election and subsequent policy announcements.
The suspension in September stemmed from Kimmel's on-air comments during a segment on June 16, 2025, where he critiqued Kirk's role in conservative youth organizing. Footage from that episode, captured in the studio, showed Kimmel pacing the stage as he delivered the lines that later drew ire. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, responded publicly at the time, calling the remarks an attack on free expression, though he did not pursue legal action.
As Kimmel prepares to resume broadcasting, the Critics Choice win signals a potential turning point. The award, voted on by members of the Broadcast Television Journalists Association, recognizes excellence in television across genres. For Jimmy Kimmel Live!, it affirms its status as a cultural touchstone, even as it navigates controversies. Industry analysts note that viewership for late-night shows has fluctuated, with Kimmel's program averaging around 1.5 million viewers per episode in 2025, down slightly from pre-pandemic highs but steady amid streaming competition.
Beyond the speech, the event highlighted ongoing debates about celebrity involvement in politics. Trump's FIFA Peace Prize, for instance, was praised by supporters as a diplomatic win but dismissed by critics as a publicity stunt. FIFA officials defended the award, stating it honored Trump's facilitation of soccer initiatives between the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations, though details remain sparse.
Looking ahead, Kimmel's return to the air on January 5, 2026, promises more unfiltered takes on current events, from the battleship announcement to broader policy shifts. With the Senate hearing for Carr looming, the intersection of media, regulation, and politics shows no signs of cooling. For now, Kimmel's award serves as both a celebration and a reminder of the stakes in America's ongoing cultural conversations.
The Critics Choice Awards also featured wins for other programs, but Kimmel's moment stood out for its blend of levity and edge. As the entertainment world grapples with these dynamics, figures like Kimmel continue to bridge comedy and commentary, keeping audiences engaged in the national dialogue.