Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a blistering critique of former US President Donald Trump, centring on his acceptance of a Nobel Peace Prize medal that was not originally his. The incident, which Kimmel likened to giving a pacifier to a baby, formed the core of a monologue packed with political satire on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
The Nobel Prize 'Pacifier'
The controversy stems from an event on Saturday 17 January 2026. Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado, who was the legitimate recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her resistance against the regime of Nicolás Maduro, presented her medal to Trump. She praised his interventions in Venezuela, a move Kimmel seized upon for comedic and critical effect.
Jimmy Kimmel suggested the gesture was akin to handing a pacifier to a fussy infant, implying it was a tactic to soothe Trump's reported fury at not winning the prestigious award himself. The talk show host emphasised the irony of the actual winner handing over her hard-earned accolade.
Kimmel's Barbed Political Commentary
Kimmel did not stop at the Nobel Prize analogy. He extended his ridicule to Trump's subsequent political actions and statements. The comedian highlighted that Trump later passed over Machado when discussing potential successors to Maduro, despite her symbolic gift.
In a surreal proposal, Kimmel offered to trade his own Emmy and Soul Train awards to Trump in exchange for the withdrawal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from Minneapolis. This satirical 'exchange' underscored his criticism of Trump's immigration policies.
Satirising a 'Master Plan' for Democracy
The monologue reached a crescendo with Kimmel's dissection of Trump's suggestion that the United States might not need midterm elections. The host outlined a hypothetical "master plan" where the former president would deploy ICE and cancel elections to consolidate power.
Through sharp wit and pointed jokes, Kimmel used the platform to critique what he framed as anti-democratic sentiments, wrapping serious political commentary in his signature comedic style. The segment served as a vivid example of late-night television's role in dissecting and challenging the actions of political figures.
