American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has taken aim at Donald Trump in a brutal Christmas Day message after his controversial suspension.
American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump during a Christmas Day message broadcast by the UK’s Channel 4. Kimmel’s remarks, part of the network’s annual “alternative Christmas message,” painted a grim picture of the current state of the United States, warning viewers across the Atlantic that “tyranny is booming” in America.
“From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year,” Kimmel declared, referencing the political turmoil and his own show’s suspension following controversial comments about Trump and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The late-night host used the platform to highlight the threats he faced, stating, “You may have read in your colourful newspapers that my country’s President would like me to shut up because I don’t adore him in the way he likes to be adored.”
Kimmel’s show was temporarily taken off the air after the American government allegedly pressured the network, a move that Kimmel described as a direct attack on free expression. “The American Government made a threat against me and the company I work for, and all of a sudden we were off the air,” he explained, calling the show’s return on September 23 a “September Christmas miracle.”
Kimmel’s Return and Continued Critique
Thanking the “millions and millions of people” who supported him, Kimmel noted that even those who disliked his show rallied for his right to free speech. “Because so many people spoke out, we came back. Our show came back stronger than ever,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to continuing his critique of Trump. “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’s message served as a cautionary tale to his British audience about the potential for government censorship in any country. “That’s what we thought, and now we’ve got King Donny the Eighth calling for executions,” he joked, drawing parallels between Trump’s behavior and that of a monarch.
The Irony of American Ideals
Reflecting on the irony of America’s founding ideals being undermined, Kimmel remarked, “We Americans are very proud of not having a King. It’s kind of why we left,” referencing the historical break from British rule. He clarified that his criticism was not aimed at Britain’s royal family, humorously noting, “Just for the record, we have nothing against your King. I don’t know if you know this, but his son lives here.”
Kimmel went on to deliver a stark assessment of the state of American democracy, stating, “Here in the United States, 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. We are a right mess.”
A Plea for Patience and Understanding
Concluding his message, Kimmel urged the UK not to lose faith in the United States. “We are not all like (Mr Trump), we are not all like that,” he assured. “Our message to you, our friends across the pond this Christmas is, don’t give up on us. We’re going through a bit of a wobble right now, but we’ll come around.”
He humorously added, “We’re always just a little late to the game but do we come through in the end? Maybe. Give us about three years. Thank you for your patience, and thank you for Spider Man.”
Background and Broader Implications
Kimmel’s temporary suspension followed his controversial remarks about Trump and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent MAGA figure, in Utah. The incident sparked a broader debate over government influence on media outlets and the boundaries of free speech. At the time, Trump praised ABC on Truth Social for “finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
This development highlights the ongoing tensions between media figures and political leaders, raising questions about the role of government in regulating speech and the media’s responsibility to challenge authority. As Kimmel’s message underscores, the struggle for free expression remains a pivotal issue in democracies worldwide.
