Washington, D.C. — In what the White House described as a “gesture of goodwill toward America’s late-night community,” President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the creation of a brand-new honor: The Appease Prize — an award he said was meant to “smooth things over” with television hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert following the controversy at the recent Kennedy Center Honors.
But the attempt at reconciliation lasted only a few hours before it was publicly — and theatrically — rejected by Stephen Colbert.
A Presidential Peace Offering… Sort Of
According to officials, the Appease Prize was intended as a lighthearted peace token after Trump drew backlash for calling Jimmy Kimmel “horrible” while hosting the Kennedy Center ceremony. Trump reportedly insisted the award would “heal the rift with late-night people who don’t understand how funny I am.”
The prize, according to the White House mock-up, would feature miniature gold-painted microphones mounted on marble-like bases, each inscribed with the presidential seal and the words “In the Spirit of Making Up.”
Sources say Trump fully expected the hosts to accept.
He was wrong.
Colbert Responds: “I Already Have My Own Golden Trophy”
Only hours after Trump’s announcement, Stephen Colbert addressed the Appease Prize on his show — and in classic Colbert fashion, he didn’t hold back.
“The Appease Prize? That’s adorable,” Colbert said while suppressing a grin.
“But I already have an award of my own! It’s called the ‘Golden Colbert,’ and it’s made of real gold… or at least a gold that sparkles harder than anything the White House can buy on Amazon Prime.”
Lifting a gleaming, custom-made prop trophy into the camera, Colbert continued:
“Look at this beauty. Jimmy, does Trump’s prize come with an extra-long necktie? If not, then I don’t need it.”
A split-screen image of Jimmy Kimmel — looking baffled and amused — appeared beside him as the audience roared.
Kimmel Plays Along, Adding Fuel to the Fire
Though Kimmel has not formally accepted or rejected the Appease Prize, he joked on his own show that he was still waiting to see whether the trophy “smelled like self-tanner.”
“I’m not saying I want it,” Kimmel teased. “But if it comes with free Secret Service protection from Trump’s monologues, I’ll consider it.”
A Peace Offering or a PR Strategy?
Political observers note that Trump’s creation of the Appease Prize may have been less about reconciliation and more about reclaiming the media spotlight following widespread criticism of his Kennedy Center remarks.
The President, however, defended his idea, saying he simply wanted to “bring unity to late-night TV — the least funny people in America.” He added:
“Colbert and Kimmel should be grateful. Nobody has ever given them an award before, except maybe the failing Emmys.”
A Familiar Pattern in Trump–Late-Night Relations
The spat highlights a long-running tension between Trump and the late-night world.
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Colbert has built some of his most memorable monologues around satirizing Trump.
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Kimmel has repeatedly mocked Trump’s policies, speeches, and personality.
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Trump, in turn, has frequently lashed out on social media, interviews, and rallies — calling hosts “talentless,” “nasty,” or, in Kimmel’s case, “horrible.”
The Appease Prize was supposed to change that. Instead, it has provided even more comedic ammunition.
The Award That May Never Be Awarded
As of now, both Colbert and Kimmel seem unlikely to accept the Appease Prize.
Colbert ended his segment with one final jab:
“Mr. President, thank you for thinking of me. But I don’t need your trophy. I have something far better: a studio full of writers who make me funnier than you on your best day.”
The audience erupted, and the moment instantly went viral — overshadowing Trump’s announcement entirely.
What’s Next?
Despite the rejection, White House staff say the Appease Prize will still be produced, even if left unclaimed.
One aide joked privately:
“Worst case, we’ll repurpose them as paperweights for Cabinet meetings.”
For now, Trump’s peace offering appears to have deepened — not bridged — the comedic divide. But if history is any guide, the feud will continue, generating more monologues, more punchlines, and perhaps, someday, another attempt at reconciliation…
preferably one that doesn’t come with a golden microphone and a long presidential necktie.
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