Jimmy Kimmel makes bold prediction about life after Trump’s term ends

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Jimmy Kimmel has spent years taking aim at Donald Trump, but the late-night host recently offered a surprisingly hopeful look at what could come after the president’s term.

During a conversation marking his Peabody Award win, Kimmel said he hopes Americans will eventually look back at the current political turmoil and feel things have improved.

Jimmy Kimmel shares hopeful prediction about life after Donald Trump

Kimmel made the comments during a discussion about ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, the Trump administration and free speech. The conversation came as the host prepares to return to television on September 8 after taking the summer off.

“I think that it's funny when I look back and think about the things I was worried about 10 years ago, 15 years ago, they seem silly now,” Kimmel said. “And hopefully, if we're not worrying about democracy itself, in 5 years I'll be able to look back and go, 'Oh yeah, we got it good right now.'”

Jimmy Kimmel reflects on Trump era and free speech

Kimmel’s comments come after an especially difficult period for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' and its host.

The late-night show was briefly suspended by ABC last year after comments Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The decision sparked a wider debate over political pressure, free speech and the limits of late-night comedy.

Kimmel was later brought back, and the experience appeared to strengthen his willingness to criticize Trump and his administration. The Peabody Awards highlighted history while honoring Kimmel.

The organization said ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ had been on the air for 23 years, but described the latest season as unprecedented because the show was suspended indefinitely by the network following pressure from the FCC chairman.

The Peabody Awards also praised Kimmel’s return, calling it a “master class in public apology” while noting that he continued to assert his right to criticize Trump and the MAGA movement.

Jimmy Kimmel receives Peabody Award after clash with Donald Trump

Kimmel received the Peabody honor in April, shortly after Trump again called for the ABC host to be fired.

At the Beverly Hills ceremony in May, actor Ben Affleck presented Kimmel with the award and praised him for refusing to “back down” despite repeated attacks from Trump.

“Comedy and satire are vital parts of democratic speech, whether the government likes them or not,” Affleck said. Kimmel then took the stage with one of his usual jokes about Trump.

“I called our president Fattyshack...and somehow we got a Peabody out of that. This country really has gone to s**t,” he said.

But Kimmel quickly shifted from comedy to the bigger issue behind the award. “Making jokes about the president in America shouldn't win you a prize. We have the right, guaranteed by the Constitution, to criticize and satirize our leaders,” he said.

He said, “You sent a message that we do care, and we stand up, and we will not stand by when comedy and journalism and dissent are censored and regulated and criminalized.”

While Kimmel was away, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ featured a rotation of guest hosts, including Rosie O'Donnell and Jelly Roll. Kimmel is scheduled to return to the show on September 8.