Jimmy Kimmel Thanks Donald Trump During Critics Choice Awards Acceptance Speech
- - Jimmy Kimmel Thanks Donald Trump During Critics Choice Awards Acceptance Speech
Mary Ellen MorinJanuary 4, 2026 at 10:19 PM
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Photo by JC Olivera on Getty Images
Jimmy Kimmel had plenty of people to thank when he took the stage to accept his award for Best Talk Show at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. Joined on stage by his wife, Molly McNearney, he made sure to save his sharpest thank-you for last—closing his time at the microphone with gratitude, humor, and a little of his trademark sarcasm.
After expressing genuine gratitude to his team, family, and the many supporters who stood by him during a difficult period of time earlier this year, the late-night host capped his speech with a pointed nod to President Donald Trump. Kimmel's final remarks were unmistakably on-brand, drawing laughter from the crowd and reactions across the internet.
A clip of the moment, was shared by Variety on Instagram:
View this post on Instagram
Kimmel's mix of sincerity and satire is unmistakable as he said, "I want to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump, without whom, we would be going home empty handed tonight." He continued with, "So thank you, Mr. President, for all the many ridiculous things you do each and every day. 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.”
This moment referenced a tumultuous time for the late-night host earlier this year, when Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly pulled from the air following a wave of backlash over remarks that were largely criticized and disputed. President Trump publicly praised the ABC network for Kimmel's indefinite suspension and encouraged the removal of other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.
The move prompted an outpouring of support from fans, celebrities, and free-speech advocates. Six days later, ABC reinstated Kimmel's show, which returned to the air amid heightened attention and strong ratings.
The Instagram post of Kimmel’s acceptance speech instantly generated buzz online. "The Critics got this one so right!! Yea Jimmy Kimmel keep doing what you’re doing ❤️," one fan commented. "👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Congratulations, Jimmy and team!" was the sentiment shared by another.
While many praised the moment, others noted in the comments that Kimmel’s reference to Trump felt familiar, reflecting the ongoing divide over political humor in late-night television.
With his new award in hand, Kimmel’s speech landed as both a note of appreciation and a subtle victory lap—one delivered with restraint, timing, and the familiar humor that has defined his late-night voice.
Related: Jimmy Kimmel Torches ‘King Donny’ in U.K. Christmas Address: ‘Tyranny Is Booming’
This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
