• Kimmel delivered Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message, declaring free speech victory over Trump
• Host reflected on September suspension after comments about Charlie Kirk’s death
• Called Trump “King Donny the Eighth” and warned fascism perspective has been “really great year”

LONDON (TDR) — Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a defiant Christmas message to British viewers on Channel 4, declaring “we won, the president lost” in his recent clash with President Donald Trump over his show’s suspension. The comedian used the platform to warn that “tyranny is booming” in America under a president who “thinks he is our king.”

Kimmel was selected to deliver Channel 4’s annual Alternative Christmas Message, a 32-year tradition that serves as counterpoint to the British monarch’s televised address. The broadcaster said Kimmel “has found himself on the frontline of America’s battle over free speech” following his September suspension from ABC.

September Suspension and Public Outcry

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The controversy erupted after Kimmel made comments following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC parent company Disney briefly pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from all stations, with broadcast affiliate Nexstar citing his “offensive and insensitive” comments “at a critical time in our national political discourse.”

Trump celebrated the suspension at the time, calling it “great news for America” and demanding other late-night hosts be fired. The show returned less than a week later after widespread outcry from hundreds of Hollywood stars and entertainment industry figures who urged Americans to “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights.”

“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 during Thursday’s address. “The American government made a threat against me and the company I work for. And all of a sudden, we were off the air.”

“A Christmas Miracle Happened”

Kimmel described his show’s return as a Christmas miracle, attributing it to public support for free speech. “Millions and millions of people stood up and said, ‘No, this is not acceptable,'” he told British viewers. “People who never watched my show, people who were on record saying they hate my show, spoke out.”

“Our show came back stronger than ever. 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 declared, using British slang for a scolding.

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The host acknowledged his uncertainty about whether UK viewers knew who he was, explaining he hosts “what you call a chat show (we call it a talk show) in what you call the colonies, I think?”

Warning About US Democracy

Kimmel warned British viewers about the state of American democracy, saying “from a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.” He called Trump “King Donny the Eighth” and apologized to the UK for the current political situation.

“We don’t have a problem with your king, just the guy who thinks he’s our king,” Kimmel said, invoking the “special relationship” between the US and UK. He urged Brits “don’t give up on us” and explained Americans are “going through a bit of a wobble right now.”

The comedian emphasized that silencing critics “is not just something that happens in Russia or North Korea,” suggesting such actions can occur in Western democracies. He concluded by asking British viewers to “give us about three years,” a reference to the 2028 presidential election.

Channel 4’s Alternative Tradition

Channel 4 began airing alternative Christmas messages in 1993 as thought-provoking counterpoint to royal addresses. Previous speakers include whistleblower Edward Snowden, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actors Stephen Fry and Danny Dyer, and even a deepfake of Queen Elizabeth II.

The ongoing feud between Kimmel and Trump escalated after the 2024 Oscars, when Kimmel mocked Trump onstage over social media posts criticizing his hosting performance. Trump responded by doubling down on attacks throughout his successful reelection campaign.

Kimmel thanked British viewers for Spider-Man and concluded: “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.”

Should entertainment figures use international platforms to criticize domestic political leaders, or does this cross professional boundaries?

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