Jimmy Kimmel offered to give President Donald Trump any of his awards if the president agrees to pull ICE out of Minneapolis, referencing Trump’s recent acquisition of a Nobel Peace Prize from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
The late-night host unveiled his offer during his Thursday monologue on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump during a White House visit on January 16, 2026. Kimmel, 58, displayed an array of trophies, including a Daytime Emmy Award, a Webby Award, a Writers Guild Award, and a Clio Award.
“Trump loves awards. Giving him an award is the only way to get him to do anything,” Kimmel said during the broadcast. “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.”
Among the awards Kimmel showcased was his Daytime Emmy from 1999 and a Webby Award from 2016. The comedian also joked about offering his 2015 Soul Train Award for White Person of the Year. Kimmel’s sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez brought the collection of trophies onto the stage as the host made his pitch to the president.
The offer came as protests intensified in Minneapolis following two separate shootings involving ICE officers. An ICE officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman, during a confrontation. On Wednesday, another ICE officer shot a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis.
Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to the unrest in Minnesota. The historic law would give the president authority to deploy U.S. armed forces domestically to suppress civil disturbances. The threat represents an escalation of the administration’s response to the protests that erupted after the shootings.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem accused Good of committing domestic terrorism during her confrontation with ICE. The accusation has drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates and protesters who have taken to the streets of Minneapolis in the wake of the shootings.
Kimmel’s awards offer was inspired by Machado’s presentation of her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump. Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October for her opposition work in Venezuela. The U.S. removed Nicolás Maduro as leader of Venezuela.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded to Kimmel’s offer on social media. Cheung called Kimmel a “no-talent loser with horrific ratings,” suggesting the host should hold onto his awards “so he has something to pawn after his ass gets fired.”
The late-night host has been a vocal critic of the president’s handling of the situation in Minneapolis. Kimmel criticized Trump’s response to the Minneapolis protests in an earlier monologue on January 12, 2026, calling attention to what he characterized as an escalating crisis in Minnesota.
Trump’s desire for awards, particularly the Nobel Peace Prize, has been well-documented. While he did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize despite campaigning for the honor, Trump received the FIFA Peace Prize in December from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The tension in Minneapolis reflects broader national debates over immigration enforcement and the use of federal force in local jurisdictions. ICE operations in the city have sparked confrontations between federal agents and residents, leading to the protests that prompted Trump’s threats to deploy military forces.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” faced its own controversy in the fall of 2025 when the show was temporarily removed from the air. The suspension raised questions about censorship and the limits of political commentary on network television.
The Insurrection Act, which Trump threatened to invoke, dates back to the early 19th century and grants presidents emergency powers to deploy troops on American soil. The law has been invoked sparingly throughout American history, typically during moments of severe civil unrest or natural disasters when state authorities cannot maintain order.
Kimmel’s proposition represents an unconventional approach to political advocacy, leveraging his platform and personal accolades to draw attention to the situation in Minneapolis. The comedian’s willingness to part with awards spanning his decades-long career underscores the seriousness with which he views the crisis unfolding in Minnesota.
The Venezuelan connection to both the Minneapolis shooting and the White House ceremony highlights the complex intersection of domestic immigration enforcement and international relations. Machado’s decision to give her Nobel Prize to Trump came after the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, where American forces removed Maduro from power.
As tensions continue in Minneapolis, the dispute between Kimmel and the White House illustrates the broader cultural and political divides over immigration policy. The late-night host’s award offer has generated significant attention on social media, with supporters and critics weighing in on both the substance of his proposal and the administration’s response.
The situation in Minneapolis remains fluid as protesters continue to demonstrate against ICE operations in their city. Local officials in Minnesota face pressure from both the federal government and their constituents as they navigate the competing demands of immigration enforcement and community safety.
Whether Trump will respond to the proposition beyond Cheung’s dismissive comments remains to be seen, though the president’s well-known affinity for awards and recognition suggests the offer may not be entirely without strategic merit.
