Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel give Trump credit for Middle East ceasefire
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The evening’s hosts, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, credited President Donald Trump with the release Monday of 20 living Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity after both sides agreed to a peace deal.
“What a day for Donald Trump. You know what? He finally did something positive and I want to give him credit for that because I know he’s not the type to deserve praise. Trump was in Israel and Egypt today to celebrate the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. All 20 Israeli hostages are home after 738 days in captivity,” Kimmel said.
The prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas began on Monday; Hamas released the last 20 surviving hostages in exchange for Israel’s release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The statement was part of a 20-point comprehensive peace plan aimed at ending the conflict and rebuilding Gaza. Only four of the 28 hostages presumed dead have so far been returned.
“And while we are undoubtedly only in the early stages of a long and difficult process, the fact is that the bombing was stopped, the hostages were released, and Trump deserves some credit for that. I mean, I know it sounds crazy to say that, but you did a good job of that, President Trump. Now maybe you can’t invade Portland. Just an idea,” Kimmel said.
Liberal night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert praised President Donald Trump for securing a peace deal in the Middle East during their show. (Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images; Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)
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Kimmel’s late-night show was recently suspended after he falsely suggested that Charlie Kirk’s killer was a MAGA supporter.
Kimmel argued that his remarks were taken out of context and harshly criticized Trump’s celebration of his suspension from the airwaves.
Colbert, another staunch critic of Trump, also had kind words for the president.
“There’s some good news there,” Colbert said during his show on Monday. “Because today, thanks to Trump’s newly brokered ceasefire in Gaza, all living Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were released. It’s important to give credit where credit is due, Donald Trump did a good thing.” he said.
The late-night host then joked, “Did we cancel yet?”
“Are you sure? I tried. I tried. It’s kind of surprising to see him do something good,” he said.
Late night host Stephen Colbert during “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on July 17, 2025. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)
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CBS announced earlier this year that Colbert’s show would end in May 2026, saying it was “purely a financial decision.” Critics claimed this was done in part to appease the Trump administration.
Colbert criticized Trump’s decision to send National Guard troops to cities across the country.
“As Trump tries to bring peace to the Middle East, he’s trying just as hard to bring war to the Midwest,” Colbert joked, referring to Trump’s deployment of troops to Chicago.
President Donald Trump gestures to a reporter in the White House Oval Office, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
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Democrats and members of the media also credited Trump with securing the peace deal on Monday.
“I really appreciate President Trump and his administration, as well as Arab leaders in the region, for committing to the 20-point plan and seeing a path forward for what is often called the next day.” Hillary Clinton told CBS Norah O’Donnell on Friday.
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