American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has used a prominent UK television platform to issue a stark warning about the political climate in the United States, directly targeting former President Donald Trump.
Channel 4 Broadcast Takes Aim at Trump
In Channel 4's alternative Christmas message, which aired on Christmas Day 2025 as a spoof of the official royal broadcast, Kimmel delivered a biting critique. He stated that from a fascism perspective, "this has been a really great year" in the US, adding that "tyranny is booming over here." The comedian, who has a long-running feud with Trump, referred to the ex-president as "King Donny the Eighth" and suggested he was "calling for executions."
A Personal Feud and a National Warning
Kimmel's comments follow a highly publicised clash with the Trump administration. His show was suspended in September 2025 by broadcaster ABC after criticism he levelled at Trump and his supporters regarding their handling of the death of activist Charlie Kirk. Trump celebrated the move, calling Kimmel "not a talented person" and claiming he was fired for a "lack of talent."
The suspension was short-lived, however. Following significant backlash from celebrities, fans, and free speech advocates, Disney-owned ABC reinstated the programme the following week. Reflecting on this in his message, Kimmel declared: "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, b****cking."
An Apology to British Viewers
Kimmel extended his critique to the wider erosion of democratic institutions, telling UK audiences: "Here in the United States right now, we are both figuratively and literally tearing down the structures of our democracy." He listed the free press, science, medicine, judicial independence, and the White House itself as areas in crisis.
With a shrug, he directly addressed British viewers: "And we know this is also affecting you, and I just wanted to say sorry." He sought to reassure them, adding, "We want you to know or, at least I want you to know, that we're not all like him. We're not all like that."
Concluding his broadcast, which first aired in 1993 as an alternative to the monarch's speech, Kimmel struck a cautiously hopeful note. "We are not bright. We're Americans," he said. "No one knows better than you we're always just a little bit late to the game, but do we come through in the end? Maybe. Give us about three years. Please."
