Jimmy Kimmel takes a jibe at Donald Trump in Alternative Christmas Message; warns of rising fascism saying 'Tyranny is booming'

Jimmy Kimmel

• Jimmy Kimmel used Channel 4's Christmas message to criticize President Trump
• Kimmel warned of rising fascism and threats to democracy in the US
• He credited public support for his show's reinstatement after a suspension

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American late-night host Jimmy Kimmel used his Christmas Day appearance on Britain’s Channel 4 to launch a sharp critique of US President Donald Trump, warning viewers about what he described as the growing threat of fascism and democratic erosion in the United States.

Jimmy Kimmel delivered The Alternative Christmas Message, an annual broadcast aired by Channel 4 as a counterpoint to the British monarch’s traditional Christmas address. First launched in 1993, the programme has previously featured controversial and high-profile figures such as whistle-blower Edward Snowden and former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This year, Kimmel became the latest voice to use the platform for pointed political commentary.

Speaking candidly about Trump’s second term in office, Jimmy Kimmel portrayed the current political climate in the US as deeply troubling. “From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year,” he said. “Tyranny is booming over here.” He went on to suggest that Trump was behaving more like a monarch than an elected leader, warning of the dangers such leadership poses to democratic institutions.

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Jimmy Kimmel’s appearance comes amid his ongoing and very public clashes with the Trump administration. The comedian has been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics on American television, particularly following the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by ABC in September. The network had indefinitely halted the show after controversy erupted over comments Kimmel made regarding reactions to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, during which he suggested that some Trump supporters were attempting to capitalise politically on the tragedy.

Donald Trump welcomed the suspension at the time, calling it “great news for America” and urged that other late-night hosts critical of him should also be taken off the air. The incident quickly escalated into a wider debate over freedom of speech, media independence, and political pressure on broadcasters. Hundreds of prominent figures from Hollywood and the entertainment industry later issued a statement urging Americans to “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights.” Less than a week later, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was reinstated.

Addressing the controversy in his Channel 4 speech, Kimmel credited public support for helping restore his show. “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,” he said.

“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,” Kimmel said, alluding to the demolition of the White House’s East Wing. “We are a right mess, and we know this is also affecting you, and I just wanted to say sorry,” he added.