Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert acknowledge Trump’s role in Gaza ceasefire

Late-night hosts Kimmel and Colbert offer rare praise to Trump for playing his role brokering Gaza ceasefire

In a surprising turn on late-night television, hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert offered rare praise to President Donald Trump for his role in brokering a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal, which resulted in a halt to bombings in Gaza and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages along with nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, was hailed by both hosts as a meaningful diplomatic breakthrough.

“Trump finally did something positive today,” Kimmel said during his Monday night monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “And I want to give him credit for it — because I know he’s not the type to take credit for himself.” Acknowledging the complexity of the situation, Kimmel noted that while the ceasefire is still in its early stages, “Trump deserves some of the praise for that.” He added humorously, “Now maybe you can not invade Portland. Just an idea.”

Kimmel also joked about Trump’s repeated interest in receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, quipping that he was fine with handing out “prizes and trophies to motivate,” even suggesting the creation of a “Nobel Reopen the Government and Leave Healthcare Alone” award.

Stephen Colbert echoed similar sentiments on The Late Show, stating, “Credit where credit is due — Donald Trump did something good.” Referencing his own show’s cancellation earlier this year, Colbert joked, “Are we still canceled? You sure? I tried.” However, he also used the moment to criticize Trump’s domestic policies, pointing to increased ICE activity and civil rights concerns in cities like Chicago, where Colbert once lived.

Both comedians have been longtime critics of Trump, often clashing with the former president and his supporters. Kimmel’s show was temporarily taken off-air earlier this year following controversial remarks and political pressure, while Colbert’s show was canceled amid speculation that CBS’s parent company sought to avoid friction with Trump during a corporate merger.

Despite their usual critiques, both hosts made a rare exception in acknowledging Trump’s part in the Middle East peace effort.