Jimmy Kimmel Delivers Sharp Anti Trump Message in Alternative Christmas Address to UK Viewers
US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel used a Christmas Day broadcast in the United Kingdom to deliver a pointed critique of President Donald Trump, warning that authoritarianism is gaining ground in the United States during Trump’s second term in office.
Kimmel’s address, titled The Alternative Christmas Message, was aired on Channel 4 and was aimed directly at British viewers. In the message, the comedian and long time Trump critic reflected on the political climate in the US, accusing the president of behaving more like a monarch than an elected leader.
Speaking with his trademark blend of satire and seriousness, Kimmel told viewers that from a fascism perspective, the past year had been alarmingly successful. He said tyranny was booming in the United States, a line that quickly drew attention on both sides of the Atlantic.
Kimmel’s remarks focused on what he described as the erosion of democratic norms, the concentration of power, and the tone set by political leadership. While the message was delivered with humour, it carried a clear warning about the direction he believes American politics is heading under Trump’s leadership.
The broadcast is part of a long running Channel 4 tradition that began in 1993. The Alternative Christmas Message was created as a counterpoint to the British monarch’s annual televised Christmas address. Over the years, the slot has been given to public figures from politics, culture and activism who are invited to offer a personal and often provocative reflection on the year’s major events.
Channel 4 said Kimmel’s message fit squarely within that tradition, describing it as a thought provoking commentary shaped by global political developments. The broadcaster has frequently used the platform to challenge convention and spark debate, often courting controversy in the process.
For Kimmel, the appearance marked another high profile moment in his ongoing opposition to Trump. The late night host has been one of the president’s most vocal critics in American television, regularly using his platform to challenge Trump’s rhetoric, policies and conduct in office.
Reaction to the message was mixed, with supporters praising Kimmel for speaking bluntly about democratic values, while critics accused him of exaggeration and political grandstanding. Nonetheless, the segment quickly gained attention online, highlighting how US political debates continue to resonate with international audiences.
As the tradition continues, Channel 4’s alternative address once again underscored how Christmas broadcasting in the UK can serve not only as a moment of reflection, but also as a stage for sharp political commentary on the state of the world.
