Imagine this: even the sharpest critics can find common ground when something truly positive happens. That's exactly what happened when Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, known for their scathing humor and often pointed criticisms of Donald Trump, actually praised him. Yes, you read that right. But here's where it gets interesting… What could possibly unite these late-night comedians and the former president? It all boils down to a ceasefire agreement brokered by Trump between Israel and Hamas, leading to the release of Israeli hostages.
Both Kimmel and Colbert, in their respective Monday night monologues, acknowledged this unexpected "positive" development in the Middle East. However, true to form, the praise came with a healthy dose of their signature wit and, of course, some jabs at Trump.
On "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Kimmel remarked on Trump's achievement with a touch of sarcasm: "What a day for Donald Trump… You know what? He finally did something positive today, and I want to give him credit for it — because I know he’s not the type to take credit for himself.” He then acknowledged the significance, stating, "While we’re only in the first phase of what will undoubtedly be a long and tricky process, but the fact is the bombing has stopped, the hostages have been released and Trump deserves some of the praise for that. So I know it sounds crazy to say, but good work on that one, President Trump. Now maybe you can not invade Portland. Just an idea.” Kimmel even joked about Trump's perpetual pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize, suggesting, “Let him keep trying to make peace. I’m fine with coming up with prizes and trophies to motivate. Give them the ‘Nobel Reopen the Government and Leave Healthcare Alone’ prize.”
Stephen Colbert, on "The Late Show," echoed the sentiment, albeit with his own brand of comedic timing. "There is some good news out there today. Thanks to Trump’s newly brokered ceasefire in Gaza, all living Israeli hostages and almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been released. It’s important. Credit where credit is due — Donald Trump did something good.” Then, in a playful jab at his show's future, Colbert looked off-stage and quipped, “Are we still canceled? You sure? I tried.” This references rumors surrounding the show's potential cancellation, which we'll delve into later.
And this is the part most people miss... While acknowledging Trump's role in the ceasefire, Colbert quickly pivoted to a more serious issue. After playing a clip of Trump stating there isn’t “anything” that is “going to get me into heaven,” Colbert agreed, stating, “While Trump tries to bring peace to the Middle East, he’s trying just as hard to bring war to the Midwest. And, personally, I’m horrified to see how he’s stomping on my old stomping grounds of Chicago, Illinois, where I lived for over a decade. ICE has been terrorizing communities in the Windy City, going door to door in front of elementary schools, arresting immigrants, legal or otherwise, arresting U.S. citizens without any due process, and tear-gassing journalists who are merely reporting on what they’re doing.” This highlights a critical point: even in moments of apparent agreement, deep-seated disagreements can still surface.
It's worth remembering that both Kimmel and Colbert have been staunch critics of Trump for years. Their shows have even faced repercussions from the federal government. For example, Kimmel's show was briefly pulled off the air after comments he made about the murder of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk and Trump’s reaction to it, allegedly due to pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Trump later slammed Kimmel on social media, calling him “Democrat GARBAGE” and suggesting possible legal action. It's a prime example of the tension and potential conflict that arose between the late-night hosts and the Trump administration.
Similarly, Colbert's CBS show faced cancellation earlier in the year amid Paramount's merger with Skydance Media. While the network cited financial reasons, some analysts speculated that Paramount aimed to appease Trump while seeking regulatory approvals. Trump, characteristically, weighed in on social media, claiming he wasn't “solely responsible” for the show's end, attributing it to Colbert's “pure lack of TALENT” and the show's high production costs. But here's where it gets controversial... Was the cancellation truly based on financial and talent-related issues, or were there underlying political motivations at play? This remains a point of debate and speculation.
Ultimately, the rare praise from Kimmel and Colbert towards Trump underscores a crucial point: even amidst political divides, acknowledging positive actions is essential. But does this single instance of praise erase years of criticism? Does it signal a shift in their perspectives, or is it simply a case of giving credit where credit is due, regardless of political affiliation? What do you think? Does acknowledging a positive action from someone you strongly disagree with make you a hypocrite, or does it show integrity? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
