On Christmas Day, British television viewers were treated to a bold political commentary from American comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who used Channel 4’s long-running Alternative Christmas Message to launch a scathing critique of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Channel 4 began broadcasting an alternative Christmas message in 1993 as a counterpart to the monarch’s annual address, and the network has often described the program as a thought-provoking and personal reflection on the year’s events.
Kimmel’s message, which aired on Channel 4, was directed at a UK audience and focused on the impact of Trump’s second term, with the comedian suggesting the former president behaves as if he were a king.
During the broadcast, Kimmel declared, “From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.” He added, “Tyranny is booming over here.”
Kimmel has long used his platform to criticize Trump, and his comments intensified after ABC indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September, citing the host’s remarks about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The show’s suspension followed Kimmel’s remarks that many Trump supporters were trying to capitalize on Kirk’s death, a statement that drew sharp criticism from the former president.
Trump celebrated the suspension, calling it “great news for America” and calling for other late-night hosts to be fired.
The incident sparked widespread concerns about freedom of speech and freedom of the press, prompting hundreds of leading Hollywood stars and other entertainment industry figures to urge Americans to fight to defend and preserve constitutionally protected rights.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to the air less than a week after the suspension, marking a quick comeback for the show.
Addressing the UK audience, Kimmel said a Christmas miracle had occurred in September when millions of people-some of whom had previously disliked his show-stood up for free speech.
He added, “We won, the president lost, and now I’m back on the air every night giving the most powerful politician on earth a right and richly deserved bollocking.”
Kimmel went on to remark, “Here in the United States right now, we are both figuratively and literally tearing down the structures of our democracy from the free press to science to medicine to judicial independence to the actual White House itself,” in reference to the demolition of the building’s East Wing.
During the same segment, he apologized to the UK audience, saying, “We are a right mess, and we know this is also affecting you, and I just wanted to say sorry.”
Channel 4 has previously invited controversial figures such as whistle-blower Edward Snowden and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to deliver the alternative Christmas message.
Kimmel, who admitted he did not expect British viewers to know him, warned that silencing critics is not limited to Russia or North Korea, and highlighted the shared special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom despite the split that led to the American Revolution 250 years ago.
He urged the UK not to give up on the United States, describing the country as “going through a bit of a wobble right now.”
Through his remarks, Kimmel aimed to remind British viewers that the challenges facing American democracy also have implications for the UK, and that the two nations must continue to support one another.
Overall, Kimmel’s Christmas message combined a critique of Trump’s presidency, a call for free-speech defenders, and a reminder of the enduring ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.
