On Thursday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, host Jimmy Kimmel took aim at President Donald Trump in his opening monologue after an odd episode involving the Nobel Peace Prize. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize handed her medal to Trump at the White House, apparently as a gesture of gratitude. Kimmel didn’t hold back, poking fun at the entire scene and at Trump’s reaction to receiving an honour he didn’t win.

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“Rarely does a president yank a Nobel prize off of someone’s neck,” Kimmel said, describing Trump’s excitement about the medal. “He’s back in the Oval Office sucking on it like a pacifier.” The joke painted an image of Trump clinging to the award like something comforting rather than earned.

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More jabs

Kimmel then turned to what happened after the medal was given. He pointed out that even though Machado handed over her prestigious award, she still left without gaining Trump’s endorsement for her own political goals. But he noted she did walk away with something else from the president.

“Machado didn’t leave empty-handed,” Kimmel laughed. “She was seen leaving the White House with a gift bag. ‘Thanks for the Nobel Prize,’” he continued. “‘Here’s a Make America Great Again mug. We appreciate you stopping by.’”

That led Kimmel to riff on the idea that Trump loves awards so much that he might be motivated only by them. To make his point, he held up some of his own trophies, including awards from his own career, and made a playful offer to the president. “Mr. President, I have an offer I think you’re going to find difficult to refuse,” he said, gesturing to his collection of awards.

“If, and only if, you agree to pull ICE out of Minneapolis and put them back at the borders where they belong, I am prepared to offer you one of the following trophies that I have been honored with over the years,” he joked, holding up golden trophies and other prizes.

A divided online reaction

People on social platforms had mixed reactions to Kimmel’s take and the strange moment of Trump accepting a Nobel medal from its rightful winner.

On Reddit, one user wrote, “HE’S TRYING TO MURDER US WITH CRINGE!” while another commented, “Oh he’s skipping the midterms alright. No one will lift a finger to stop him.” Some viewers accused Kimmel of making jokes just for ratings and ignoring the serious issues, with one saying, “Kimmel is making jokes about it for ratings, and the whole thing is sad. No call to action, just a bunch of upper middle class laughing at all the pain and suffering this admin is causing.”

Others focused on the symbolic awkwardness, like the comment, “Lmao this is pathetic. Imagine getting someone else’s trophy and feeling any sense of having earned it yourself.” But at least one added a lighter note: “That was hilarious. The deep fried penguin comment made me lmao!”