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 Channel 4’s annual “alternative Christmas message.” On Christmas Day, Kimmel lamented the state of the United States, warning British viewers that “tyranny is booming” across the Atlantic.
Kimmel, known for his sharp wit and political commentary, did not hold back. “From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year,” he stated, referencing the tumultuous political climate in the U.S. His comments come after a controversial suspension of his show, which followed remarks he made about Trump and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel’s Battle with Censorship
The late-night host addressed the firestorm surrounding his show’s brief suspension, attributing it to government pressure. “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 said. He recounted how the American government allegedly threatened him and his network, leading to a temporary halt in his broadcasts.
Describing the show’s return on September 23 as a “September Christmas miracle,” Kimmel expressed gratitude to the “millions and millions of people” who rallied for his right to free speech. “People who never watched my show, people who were on the record saying they hate my show, spoke out, they marched, and they did all of this to support the right to free expression of speech,” he added.
A Warning to the UK
In his message to the British audience, Kimmel cautioned against complacency regarding government censorship. “That’s what we thought, and now we’ve got King Donny the Eighth calling for executions,” he joked, highlighting the irony of America’s founding ideals being undermined by a leader he compared to a monarch.
He humorously clarified that his criticism was not aimed at Britain’s royal family. “Just for the record, we have nothing against your King. I don’t know if you know this, but his son lives here,” he quipped, referring to Prince Harry’s residence in the U.S.
The State of American Democracy
Kimmel painted a dire picture of the current state of American democracy. “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,” he asserted.
Concluding his message, Kimmel urged the UK not to lose faith in America. “We are not all like (Mr Trump), we are not all like that,” he said. “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.”
Context and Reactions
Kimmel’s suspension came after controversial comments about Trump and the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah, a prominent MAGA figure. The network’s decision to pull Kimmel off the air sparked debates over media freedom and the influence of government on press outlets.
Former President Trump, known for his contentious relationship with the media, praised the network’s decision on Truth Social, stating they “finally had the courage to do what had to be done.”
The incident underscores ongoing tensions in the U.S. regarding free speech and media independence, raising questions about the boundaries of government intervention in the press.
As Kimmel continues to challenge political figures from his late-night platform, his Christmas message serves as both a critique and a call to action, urging vigilance against threats to democratic principles.
