Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday mocked Donald Trump over his acceptance of a Nobel Peace Prize medal from its 2025 laureate, likening the moment to “a baby being given a pacifier”.
During the opening monologue of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel took aim at Trump after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado handed over the medal during a White House meeting earlier in the day.
“Rarely does a president yank a Nobel Prize off of someone’s neck,” Kimmel said, adding that Trump was now “back in the Oval Office with it, like a pacifier”.
Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for leading resistance efforts against former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, presented the medal to Trump after publicly praising his interventions related
to Venezuela. The move drew global attention as Nobel authorities later reiterated that a prize cannot be transferred, even if the physical medal changes hands.
The comedian later wheeled out his own trophies on stage, offering them to Trump in jest. Displaying an Emmy and a Soul Train Award, Kimmel joked that he would part with them “if, and only if” Trump agreed to withdraw Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel from Minneapolis.
Jimmy Kimmel offers to let Trump have one of his trophies if he will pull ICE out of Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/OhbQitGZYU
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 16, 2026
The remarks referenced ongoing criticism of Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, which have triggered protests following the January 7 killing of Renee Good during an ICE operation, according to US media reports.
“The choice is yours. I will personally deliver any or even all of these to the Oval Office in exchange for leaving the people of Minneapolis alone,” Kimmel continued, offering up his awards that he earned throughout his career in show business.
Kimmel said the episode underscored Trump’s long-standing fixation with awards and public validation, joking that while Machado left without a political endorsement, she did receive a parting gift. “‘Thanks for the Nobel Prize,’” Kimmel quipped, mimicking Trump. “‘Here’s a Make America Great Again mug. We appreciate you stopping by.’”
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