In a moment brimming with both humor and gravitas, Jimmy Kimmel took the stage at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards to receive the accolade for Best Talk Show while seizing the opportunity to address the significance of free speech. During his acceptance speech, Kimmel, known for his sharp wit, didn’t shy away from roasting former President Donald Trump, a frequent target of his comedic jabs.

Last year, Kimmel’s show faced a contentious suspension following his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin in one of his monologues. The temporary halt of his show was met with approval from Trump, whose antics often fuel Kimmel’s monologues. Although the suspension was short-lived, it ignited widespread debate about free speech in the United States, a theme Kimmel was keen to highlight during his speech on Sunday night.

“Thanks to all the writers and actors and producers and union members. Many of you were in this room who supported us, who really stepped forward with us, and reminded us that we do not take free speech for granted in this city or in this country,” Kimmel, 58, expressed with gratitude. “Your actions are important, and we appreciate them.”

In true Kimmel fashion, he then turned his attention back to Trump, 79, ending his speech with a light-hearted jab. “Thank you for all the many ridiculous things you do,” he quipped, ensuring the night ended on a note of humor intertwined with a serious reminder of the value of free expression.

He then proceeded to mock Trump, 79, and thanked him for ‘all the many ridiculous thins you do.’  

‘And most of all, I want to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump,’ he continued. ‘Without whom we would be going home empty-handed tonight.

Jimmy Kimmel lashed out at President Donald Trump and praised the importance of free speech as he received the award for Best Talk Show at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Award

Trump has verbally sparred with Kimmel, and praised the suspension of his show following Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin 

‘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. Thank you, everyone.’

Kimmel has unabashedly hit out at Trump throughout the year, using his platform to criticize the President’s policies, rhetoric, and character, which has led to a long-standing rivalry.

He was taken off the air in the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination in September 2025, as he delivered a monologue claiming the ‘MAGA gang’ was ‘desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it’.

He also accused them of ‘working very hard to capitalize on the murder’, before claiming Trump was grieving like a ‘four-year-old mourns a goldfish’.

Conservative activist Kirk was assassinated September 10 at the age of 31 during one of his famous on-campus debates at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with his murder after allegedly firing from a rooftop during Kirk’s speech.

Disney-owned ABC took his show off the air in response, while FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned the network its license could be at risk because of Kimmel’s content.

Trump later suggested that if any TV networks only give him bad press ‘maybe their license should be taken away.’

The controversy sparked backlash and protests, with the White House accused of infringing on free speech and freedom of the press.

Conservative activist Kirk, pictured 2020, was assassinated September 10 at the age of 31 during one of his famous on-campus debates at Utah Valley University

Kimmel said his colleagues ‘stepped forward with us and reminded us we do not take free speech for granted in this city or in this country’

The star’s wife, Molly McNearney, who serves as co-head writer and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was present on stage 

Disney faced immense pressure from Hollywood stars after suspending Kimmel. Singer Olivia Rodrigo was also among 400 stars to sign an ACLU open letter supporting free speech and condemning Disney’s decision.

Less than a week later, Kimmel returned to his show, and, in an emotional monologue where he appeared close to tears, said that he wasn’t trying to joke about the killing of Kirk.

‘I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind, but I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human, and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,’ Kimmel said.

‘I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.’

He added that he wasn’t trying to blame any specific group ‘for the actions of what … was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.’

The late night host’s show was controversially suspended last year following comments Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin in a monologue

The comedian and his wife pictured on the Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet 

He said he understood his remarks last week to some ‘felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both.’

Kimmel thanked many supporters, including fellow late-night hosts past and present and even a former boss at a radio station in Seattle who checked in with him last week.

He also singled out people he knows aren’t fans of his comedy but stood up for his right to speak, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

The show returned to huge ratings in its first night back, but quickly returned to what it was before.

Kimmel’s wife and head writer, Molly McNearney, has previously admitted that she and her husband had thought his career was effectively over.

But his show has secured a one-year contract extension, keeping him on air until May 2027.