Cancelled US comedian Jimmy Kimmel to deliver Christmas message to UK | Jimmy Kimmel
The US comedian, whose midnight show was briefly canceled after pressure from Donald Trump’s government, will urge UK audiences to stand up for freedom of expression.
Jimmy Kimmel will liken the first year of Trump’s second administration to the rise of fascism in his defiant alternative Christmas message on Channel 4.
Sitting next to a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits with jam, Kimmel jokes: “From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.”
He is also expected to warn that press freedoms could be swiftly dismantled and urge UK audiences to resist attacks on free speech.
Kimmel’s nightly show was suspended indefinitely in September after Trump accused his political movement of exploiting the killing of Charlie Kirk. Trump praised broadcaster ABC’s decision. This follows pressure from the White House on publisher and owner Disney.
But the move sparked a backlash from viewers, late-night TV hosts and free speech campaigners, which led to Kimmel being brought back on air days later.
In his alternative Christmas message, Kimmel is expected to pay tribute to those who criticized his suspension. A Channel 4 insider said: “He says the reason he’s back on air is because people are speaking out and protesting.”
In his final monologue of the year on his show last week, Kimmel also praised viewers. He said: “On behalf of all of us on the show, I want to say that we are grateful not only for watching, but for your support and enthusiasm. This year, you have literally pulled us out of a hole and we can’t thank you enough.”
He also spoke about the importance of reminding the rest of the world of domestic opposition to the Trump administration. He said: “It’s important that we as Americans let our friends in other countries know that many of us are unhappy with what’s going on.
“There is still more good than evil in this country, and we hope you will bear with us during this prolonged psychotic episode we are in the midst of.”
Kimmel’s alternate Christmas message will air at 5:45pm on Christmas Day, less than two hours after the king’s Christmas message.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: “Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his far-reaching impact on the world is the story of 2025, and it would be hard to think of a better person to tackle it than Jimmy Kimmel, who finds himself at the forefront of America’s fight for free expression.”
Channel 4 has been broadcasting often provocative alternative Christmas speeches for more than 30 years. Speakers included Iran’s former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whistleblower Edward Snowden, cartoon character Marge Simpson and the camp’s former head priest Quentin Crisp.
