Jimmy Kimmel turned a routine awards show win into one of the most talked-about moments of the night. Jimmy Kimmel Live! took home the Best Talk Show award at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 4, 2026—but it was Kimmel’s blistering acceptance speech that truly stole the spotlight.
The late-night host beat out stiff competition, including The Daily Show, Hot Ones, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. When Kimmel stepped onstage at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar, however, it was clear he had far more planned than a standard thank-you.
Feigning disbelief at the win, Kimmel unrolled an intentionally overlong prepared speech, poking fun at awards culture before taking a sharp political turn. He joked about preferring a “FIFA Peace Prize”—a pointed reference to President Donald Trump’s recent World Cup-related honor—before delivering the line that sent the room into hysterics.
“And most of all, I’ve got to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump,” Kimmel said, pausing as laughter and applause erupted. “Without him, we’d be going home empty-handed tonight.” The joke landed hard, with the exaggerated middle name serving as classic Kimmel-style mockery.
He continued the roast, thanking Trump for providing what he called a “daily dose of ridiculous,” adding that it had been “a banner couple of weeks” and promising viewers that his show would eagerly jump back into the chaos the very next night.
The moment carried added weight after a turbulent year for Kimmel and his show. In September 2025, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly pulled from the air following backlash over a controversial monologue referencing the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension sparked an industry-wide debate over free speech in late-night comedy, with many entertainers publicly backing Kimmel.
The show rebounded quickly, posting strong ratings and securing Kimmel a contract extension through 2027. During his speech, he made a point to thank his staff and union members, crediting them for standing by him through the controversy.
Clips of the speech quickly spread online, with fans praising Kimmel’s timing and willingness to lean fully back into political satire. While Trump has yet to respond, his long history of firing back at late-night hosts has fueled speculation that a reaction could still be coming.
For now, Kimmel’s “Donald Jennifer Trump” jab stands as one of the Critics Choice Awards’ most memorable—and divisive—moments, leaving audiences eager to see how he follows it up on his next episode.
