Jimmy Kimmel's Critics Choice Acceptance Speech: A Hilarious and Thought-Provoking Moment
'The Future of Late Night' and the 'FIFA Peace Prize'
Jimmy Kimmel's acceptance speech at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards was a hilarious and thought-provoking moment. Kimmel, known for his sharp wit and comedic timing, took the stage with a number of barbs and a comically long written speech. He began by quipping that he would have preferred a 'FIFA peace prize', referring to the award President Donald Trump received at the now-renamed Kennedy Center during the World Cup draw last month.
'I Really Didn't Expect This'
Kimmel then unrolled a comedically long written acceptance speech, saying he 'really didn't expect this'. He thanked the critics, calling out three specific reviewers by name, including Jeffrey Howard from KCLV-TV in Las Vegas, whom Kimmel, a Sin City native, said he went to high school with. He also thanked 'our friends at Disney', naming CEO Bob Iger, entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden, and OpenAI boss Sam Altman, who, Kimmel said, 'now owns my voice and face. Please don't do anything weird with it'.
'Most of All, I Wanna Thank Our President, Donald Jennifer Trump'
Kimmel's remarks about Altman appear to be a reference to Disney's recent $1 billion investment in OpenAI that included striking a licensing deal with the Altman-run AI powerhouse. The latter agreement would allow users of OpenAI's Sora to create clips using characters from the Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars franchises.
'The Future of Late Night'
Kimmel was nominated alongside his late-night competitors, including The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Late Night With Seth Meyers, The Daily Show, and Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, as well as YouTube's Hot Ones. Kimmel joked that his fellow nominees, save Hot Ones' Sean Evans, who was shown onscreen laughing at Kimmel's acceptance speech, 'did not care enough to be here with you tonight'.
'The Only One Left'
Questions have emerged in recent months about the future of late-night TV after CBS canceled The Late Show for what the network claimed were financial reasons. Meanwhile, Trump has gone after Colbert, Kimmel, and Meyers, saying they all should be taken off the air. Kimmel's win comes after ABC briefly suspended him this fall after he made comments about Charlie Kirk's killer that led Trump's FCC chair to threaten ABC affiliates' licenses.
'Free Speech'
Since returning to the air, Kimmel and his wife and co-head writer Molly McNearney, who joined Kimmel onstage Sunday night, have spoken out in support of free speech. Kimmel took time on Sunday night to address the issue and Trump. '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,' Kimmel said. 'Your actions were important, and we appreciate them'.
'Most of All, I Wanna Thank Our President, Donald Jennifer Trump'
He later added, 'Most of all, I wanna thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump. Without whom, we'd be going home empty-handed tonight. 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'.
