Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert made headlines by giving unexpected praise to President Trump for his role in facilitating a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, enabling the release of all remaining Israeli hostages.
Both late-night comedians acknowledged the “positive” turn of events in the Middle East during their monologues on Monday night while blending humor with their customary critiques of Trump.
“What a day for Donald Trump,” Kimmel remarked on his show. “You know what? He actually accomplished something positive today, and I feel it’s fair to acknowledge that — because he isn’t one to pat himself on the back.”
Kimmel elaborated, “Though we’re only at the initial phase of what will likely be a long and complex journey, the bombs have stopped falling, the hostages are free, and Trump should receive some credit for this. It may sound outrageous, but well done on that one, President Trump. Perhaps you could refrain from invading Portland next time. Just a thought.”
Kimmel humorously suggested Trump should aim for a Nobel Peace Prize, adding, “Let him keep pursuing peace. I’m all for creating awards and incentives. Perhaps we could establish the ‘Nobel Prize for Reopening the Government and Not Messing with Healthcare’ award.”
Over on “The Late Show,” Colbert said, “There’s some good news making waves today. Thanks to Trump’s newly brokered ceasefire in Gaza, all living Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been set free. It’s crucial to give credit where it’s due — Donald Trump did something commendable.”
After a comedic pause, Colbert quipped while looking offstage, referencing his show’s cancellation in May, “Are we still canceled? You sure? I tried.”
During his monologue, Colbert also aired a clip of Trump discussing with Fox News how there’s “nothing” that could get him into heaven.
“I agree with Trump,” Colbert said, shifting to a more serious tone. “While he’s attempting to foster peace in the Middle East, he’s equally dedicated to igniting conflict in the Midwest. It’s disheartening to witness how he’s impacting my former neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, where I lived for more than ten years. ICE has been intimidating communities across the Windy City, going door-to-door near elementary schools, apprehending immigrants indiscriminately, arresting U.S. citizens without due process, and using tear gas against journalists simply trying to report on the situation.”
Kimmel and Colbert have been longstanding critics of Trump, and both have encountered issues with the federal government this year. Following Kimmel’s remarks regarding the murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk (along with Trump’s response), his show faced a temporary suspension due to pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. After Kimmel’s return, Trump publicly criticized Kimmel on social media, labeling him as “Democrat GARBAGE” and hinted at possible legal actions.
Meanwhile, Colbert’s CBS program was terminated earlier in the year amid the merger of Paramount with Skydance Media. Although the network attributed the cancellation to financial concerns, analysts speculated it was motivated by Paramount’s desire to appease Trump while seeking regulatory approval. Trump stated on social media that he was not “solely responsible” for the show’s cancellation, attributing Colbert’s exit to “a pure lack of TALENT” and the high costs involved with the production.
Check out Kimmel and Colbert’s monologues from Monday night below.
