Jimmy Kimmel calls suspension a ‘near-death experience’

Jimmy Kimmel reflects on his difficult 2025 after winning best talk show at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.

The comedian’s talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!faced a six-day suspension in September due to right-wing reactions to comments he made Charlie Kirk‘s death. Kimmel has also received repeated criticism from the president Donald Trump.

“It was almost a near-death experience for me,” the 58-year-old late-night host reflected in the winners room after his victory on Sunday, January 4, per People. “Not literally, of course, but I felt a bit like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn watching their own funeral when all these things happened.”

“To be here and see that people responded to it not only in a positive way, but in an almost desperate way, we said, ‘Oh boy, if they’re coming after the comedians, this is the moment where we draw the line,’” he said of Sunday’s big win. “We are very grateful that they drew the line with us.”

ABC’s brief suspension of Kimmel’s talk show in September led to speculation about whether the move was politically motivated. Trump has previously called for his show to be canceled.

Members of the Trump administration criticized Kimmel’s comments following the fatal shooting of Kirk in September.

“We hit some new lows this weekend as the MAGA gang desperately tried to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of their own and did everything they could to score political points,” Kimmel said at the time.

When Kimmel returned to the air after six days, he said, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”

On Sunday, Kimmel addressed 79-year-old Trump directly during his acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards.

“We share this award late at night with our colleagues, our fellow nominees who didn’t care enough to be here with you tonight,” he joked at the awards ceremony, which took place at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California. “Thank you to all the writers and actors and producers and union members, many of you who are in this room and supported us, who really came out with us and reminded us that we don’t take freedom of speech for granted in this city or in this country. Your actions were important and we appreciate them.”

Kimmel then thanked Trump, “without whom we would go home empty-handed tonight.”

“Thank you, Mr. President, for the many ridiculous things you do every day,” Kimmel said. “It’s been a few weeks, and we can’t wait to be back on the air tomorrow night to talk about it.”

Kimmel also mourned the death of his longtime friend and bandleader Cleto Escobedo III in November 2025, leading to another short hiatus.

“It’s just not fair,” he said in a moving tribute on the Nov. 11 episode of his talk show. “He was the kindest, most humble, friendly and always funny person.”

Kimmel added, “Cherish your friends. We’re not here forever.”