The US satirist Jimmy Kimmel
spoke of “tyranny” in the US in an alternative Christmas message on British television. “I can tell you that it’s been a really great year from a fascist perspective. Tyranny is on the rise here,” said the guest presenter from the US.
On British television, the royal head of state’s holiday speech has been followed by an “alternative Christmas speech” from Channel 4 for more than 30 years. This year, the American late-night talker Kimmel gave this speech and took the opportunity to settle accounts with Donald Trump. The US President is in the process of destroying the democratic system
United States to dismantle, said Kimmel.
The fact that governments silence their critics is usually more common in Russia or North Korea, said Kimmel. “And now we have King Donny the Eighth calling for executions. It’s happening quickly,” he added, referring to Trump. Under the Republican, important pillars of democracy in the USA would be torn down, “from freedom of the press to science, medicine and the independence of the judiciary to the White House itself,” said Kimmel.
Addressing the British television audience, the presenter said: “We are pure chaos – and we know that affects you too.” At the same time, he appealed not to give up on the USA. “We’re going through a difficult phase right now, but we’ll get through it,” said Kimmel. “It may not seem like it, but we love you.”
“Because I don’t adore him that much”
Kimmel also spoke about the temporary suspension of his talk show in the USA in September. “Perhaps you have read in your colorful newspapers that the president of my country wants to silence me because I do not adore him as he would like,” said the satirist. The US government threatened him and his employer and his broadcast was stopped shortly afterwards. But then a “Christmas miracle” happened, said Kimmel. “Millions” of people resisted pressure from the US government.
With his late-night show on US television and critical comments on the Trump administration’s policies, Kimmel had drawn the president’s ire. The broadcaster ABC and its affiliates temporarily suspended broadcasting after Kimmel caused controversy with comments on the fatal assassination attempt on right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. After a short forced break, Kimmel’s show returned to the screens. Trump disapproved of this about-face. His broadcast was at the beginning of December Jimmy Kimmel Live! extended until mid-2027.
