Jimmy Kimmel is reflecting on his rocky 2025 after winning Best Talk Show at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
The comedian’s talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, faced a six-day suspension in September amid right-wing backlash over comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s death. Kimmel has also faced repeated criticism from President Donald Trump.
“It was almost a near-death experience for me,” the late night host, 58, reflected in the winners’ room after his win on Sunday, January 4, per People. “Of course, not literally, but I did feel a little bit like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn watching their own funeral, when all this stuff happened.”
“To be here and to see that people reacted to it in not just a positive way, but in almost a desperate way, we’re like, ‘Oh boy, when they come after the comedians, this is when we draw the line,’” he said of Sunday’s big win. “We’re very grateful that they drew the line at us.”
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ABC’s brief suspension of Kimmel’s talk show in September prompted speculation over whether the move was politically motivated. Trump has previously called for his show to be canceled.
Trump administration members criticized Kimmel’s comments in the wake of Kirk’s fatal shooting in September.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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,” Kimmel said at the time.
Upon returning to the air after six days, Kimmel said, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”
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On Sunday, Kimmel directly addressed Trump, 79, during his acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards.
“We share this award with our colleagues in late night, our fellow nominees who did not care enough to be here with you tonight,” he quipped at the award ceremony, which took place at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California. “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 with us and reminded us that we do not take free speech for granted in this city or in this country. Your actions were important and we appreciate them.”
Kimmel then thanked Trump, “without whom we would be going home empty-handed tonight.”
“Thank you, Mr. President, for all the many ridiculous things you do each and every day,” Kimmel said. “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.”
Kimmel also mourned the death of his longtime friend and band leader Cleto Escobedo III in November 2025, which prompted another brief hiatus.
“It’s just not fair,” he said in a moving tribute on the November 11 episode of his talk show. “He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person.”
Kimmel added, “Cherish your friends. We’re not here forever.”
