Months after being suspended from ABC, Jimmy Kimmel lambasted President Trump and Timothée Chalamet at the ICG Publicist Awards, where he was praised for his “resilience.”
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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Jimmy Kimmel is respected by the president. No, that’s not true.
The true late night host and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump received the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG) Publicist Award for the President’s Award for “strength of character, resilience in the face of adversity, and unwavering adherence to principles,” the organization said in a statement.
The trophy was presented by ICG National President John Lindley several months after “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Kimmel, 58, was suspended for six days after making comments about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
“When I was told I was going to win the President’s Award, I said, ‘Wow, that’s amazing! I thought he hated me!’ “He called me ‘talentless’ and tried to force me off the station,” Kimmel told the crowd at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, where the celebration was held on March 13. “Then I found out that the president was John. Thank you, John. I like you better than him.”
Jimmy Kimmel fires at nemesis Matt Damon’s Timothée Chalamet
Kimmel went on to thank the publicists who were celebrated and made a timely joke about Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet, who recently came under fire for saying “nobody cares” about ballet and opera.
“Publicists have a very difficult job, especially when their clients have strong opinions about opera and ballet,” Kimmel quipped. “I love them. Remember when they used to say there’s no such thing as bad publicity? That was a lot of the Kanye and Diddy thing back in the day.”
The comedian received a pre-recorded introduction from Ben Affleck and Kimmel’s famous “rival” Matt Damon, who sent an expletive-filled message to his nemesis. The only thing you can do in public is the worst. ”
After taking a few jabs of his own at Damon, Kimmel heartily thanked the audience for standing with him amidst the Kirk controversy and attacks from the Trump administration.
“I especially want to thank you for your support over the last year,” Kimmel said. “Many of our customers have contacted us personally. Many of them contacted us during our short break in September and we will never forget them. We are truly grateful.”
Kate Hudson jokingly apologizes for ‘wild days’ ahead of Oscar night
Journalists and publicists alike accepted trophies at the 2026 luncheon, including “The Pit” star Noah Wyle, who won the award for TV actor of the year.
Kate Hudson, who is nominated for Best Actress at this weekend’s Academy Awards, also made her way to the podium where the “Son Saint Bleu” star was hailed as this year’s film showperson.
In light of the occasion, she paid tribute to Brad Caffarelli, her longtime publicist since his breakthrough role in Almost Famous when he was 19.
“He’s seen everything I’ve been through in this industry,” said Hudson, 46. “Childhood, learning, wild, and figuring it out. He probably had a few interviews that he would like to do again.”
On behalf of her fellow A-listers, she offered a light-hearted apology to all publicists.
“I feel like the people in this room are more used to putting out fires than starting them,” Hudson said with a laugh. “For many of us artists, our amygdala is very excited, so we want to thank our prefrontal cortex for being there when we need it.”
