In a bold and unconventional Christmas Day address for British viewers, American television host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel launched a sharp critique of former US President Donald Trump and the state of American democracy. The special message was part of Channel 4's long-standing tradition of airing an alternative to the British monarch's annual Christmas greeting.
A Candid Critique from Across the Pond
Kimmel, chosen by the UK's public broadcaster Channel 4 for its 2023 alternative message, began by humorously admitting he had "no idea" what was happening in the UK. However, he quickly turned his focus to political developments in the United States. The comedian stated that from a "fascism perspective," the year had been "really great" and declared that "tyranny is booming over here."
He directly addressed the threat he perceived from the Trump administration, referencing reports that the former president wanted to silence him. "You may have read in your colourful newspapers that my country’s president would like to shut me up," Kimmel said, alluding to the temporary cancellation of his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, earlier in the year.
The Battle for Free Speech and a Show's Return
Kimmel recounted the incident in September when his popular late-night show was taken off the air for a week. He attributed this directly to political pressure, stating, "The American government made a threat against me and the company I work for, and all of a sudden we were off the air." This followed his on-air comments where he accused MAGA supporters of exploiting the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk.
He praised the American public for their protest, which he said involved "millions and millions of people" supporting free speech. "We won, the president lost – and now I’m back on the air every night," Kimmel declared, adding he was giving the "most powerful politician on Earth a right, and richly deserved, bollocking."
A Warning Against Complacency
The comedian issued a stark warning, urging viewers not to believe that the silencing of critics only occurs in authoritarian states like Russia or North Korea. "Well, that’s what we thought, and now we’ve got King Donny the Eighth calling for executions. It happens fast," he cautioned.
In his concluding remarks, Kimmel offered a somber assessment and an apology. "Here in the United States right now, we are both figuratively and literally tearing down the structures of our democracy," he said, listing the free press, science, medicine, and judicial independence as institutions under threat. He acknowledged that America's internal struggles affect allies like the UK and finished by asserting, "We’re not all like him. We’re not all like that."
The episode that led to the show's brief hiatus involved Kimmel criticising the political response to Charlie Kirk's murder. He had said MAGA supporters were trying to distance the shooter from their movement, calling it a "new low." He also mocked Trump's response to the killing, comparing the former president's demeanor to "how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish." Although Kimmel later apologised for making light of the murder, he stood by his criticism of the political hypocrisy surrounding the event.
