Jimmy Kimmel declares ‘tyranny is booming’ in America as he unleashes on Trump in Christmas message… and boasts he beat attempts to silence him
Jimmy Kimmel launched a blistering attack on Donald Trump in a Christmas Day message to British viewers, claiming that ‘tyranny is booming’ in America.
Kimmel was selected to deliver UK broadcaster Channel 4’s ‘Alternative Christmas Message’ and didn’t hold back, using the address to go after the president.
‘Tyranny is booming over here. You may have read in your colorful newspapers, my country’s president would like to shut me up because I don’t adore him in the way he likes to be adored,’ Kimmel said.
He accused Trump of ‘both figuratively and literally tearing down the structures of our democracy.’
Kimmel claimed the president goes after everything ‘from the free press to science to medicine to judicial independence to the White House itself,’ in a reference to Trump’s demolition of the East Wing to build a new ballroom.
‘From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year,’ Kimmel added.
Kimmel also discussed his brief suspension from the air following offensive remarks in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The host told the UK audience that a Christmas miracle had happened in September when millions of people – some who hated his show – had spoken up for free speech.
Jimmy Kimmel took his anti-Trump act across the pond, warning the British that ‘tyranny is booming’ in America in a Christmas Day message
Kimmel was selected to deliver UK broadcaster Channel 4’s ‘Alternative Christmas Message’ and he went after the president the same as he does on ABC every night
‘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, as he used British slang jokingly throughout the speech.
Kimmel, who said he didn’t expect Brits to know who he was, warned that silencing critics is not just something that happens in Russia or North Korea.
Despite the split that led to the American Revolution 250 years ago, he said the two nations still shared a special relationship and urged the UK not to give up on the US as it was ‘going through a bit of a wobble right now.’
‘We are a right mess, and we know this is also affecting you, and I just wanted to say sorry.’
Reactions were largely drawn down the usual political lines, with many pointing out that Kimmel spent much of the time tearing down the president.
‘My god comedy is easy when you just retell the same joke every four minutes,’ wrote one.
Others pointed to the recent arrest of comedian Graham Linehan for making anti-trans jokes as evidence of the ‘double standard’ in choosing Kimmel for the alternative message.
‘I find it ironic that Jimmy Kimmel gave a speech about ‘tyranny’ in the UK, where people are forced to pay for the s****y BBC & reportedly get arrested for saying, posting, or even joking about stuff that is ‘wrongthink’ But sure. You tell em Jimmy,’ wrote one commenter.
Reactions were largely drawn down the usual political lines, with many pointing out Kimmel using his time to go after Trump again
Another added: ‘This clown is talking to a country where the government is IMPRISONING PEOPLE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.’
They noted that the comedian ‘couldn’t help’ but bash the US, and Kimmel ended the monologue with a joke: ‘We’re not bright, we’re Americans.’
Kimmel has unabashedly hit out at Trump throughout the year, using his platform to criticize the President’s policies, rhetoric, and character, which has led to a long-standing rivalry.
He was taken off the air in the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination in September, as he delivered a monologue claiming the ‘MAGA gang’ was ‘desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it’.
He also accused them of ‘working very hard to capitalize on the murder’, before claiming Trump was grieving like a ‘four-year-old mourns a goldfish’.
Disney-owned ABC took his show off the air in response, while FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned the network its license could be at risk because of Kimmel’s content.
Trump later suggested that if any TV networks only give him bad press ‘maybe their license should be taken away.’
The controversy sparked backlash and protests, with the White House accused of infringing on free speech and freedom of the press.
Kimmel also discussed his brief suspension from the air following offensive remarks in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has warned the ABC its license could be at risk because of Kimmel’s content, prompting the show to be temporarily taken off air
Disney faced immense pressure from Hollywood stars after suspending Kimmel. Singer Olivia Rodrigo was also among 400 stars to sign an ACLU open letter supporting free speech and condemning Disney’s decision.
Less than a week later, Kimmel returned to his show, and, in an emotional monologue where he appeared close to tears, said that he wasn’t trying to joke about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
‘I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind, but I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human, and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,’ Kimmel said.
‘I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.’
He added that he wasn’t trying to blame any specific group ‘for the actions of what … was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.’
He said he understood his remarks last week to some ‘felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both.’
Kimmel thanked many supporters, including fellow late-night hosts past and present and even a former boss at a radio station in Seattle who checked in with him last week.
He also singled out people he knows aren’t fans of his comedy but stood up for his right to speak, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Kimmel returned to his show, and, in an emotional monologue where he appeared close to tears, said that he wasn’t trying to joke about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Protesters also activated in favor of Kimmel, with this sign celebrating his return to the airwaves
The show returned to huge ratings in its first night back, but quickly returned to what it was before.
Kimmel’s wife and head writer, Molly McNearney, has previously admitted that she and her husband had thought his career was effectively over.
But his show has secured a one-year contract extension, keeping him on air until May 2027.
Channel 4’s annual broadcast, which first aired in 1993, aims to bring viewers a message about that year’s events.
Kimmel’s address follows on from previous messages delivered by a wide range of presenters, including British comedian Chris McCausland, who addressed ableism last year after becoming the first blind person to win UK show, Strictly Come Dancing.
Other presenters have included former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actor and TV presenter Sir Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, and actor Danny Dyer.
Kimmel’s ABC show is currently in reruns for the holidays and will return in early January.
