Credited from: INDIATIMES
American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a scathing critique of U.S. President Donald Trump in his "Alternative Christmas Message," which aired on Channel 4 in the UK. Kimmel warned viewers of the rising tide of fascism, stating, "From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year. Tyranny is booming over here," reflecting on Trump's influence during his presidency. This tradition of broadcasting alternative messages began in 1993 as a counterpoint to the royal Christmas message, aiming to provide thought-provoking insights about the year's events, according to SCMP, Le Monde, and NPR.
Kimmel reminisced about a tumultuous year, particularly his suspension in September following controversial comments regarding the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He stated, "millions of people ... stood up" against the pressure from Trump's administration, which attempted to silence him. He humorously dubbed his return to the airwaves "a Christmas miracle," declaring, "We won, the president lost." This narrative of support highlighted broader concerns over free speech, with many in Hollywood rallying against governmental threats to the media, as noted by Le Monde, NPR, and India Times.
Throughout his message, Kimmel warned that silencing dissent is a global issue, paralleling it with situations in countries like Russia and North Korea. "You may think, oh, a government silencing its critics is something that happens in places like Russia or North Korea ... but that’s what we thought too, and now we’ve got King Donny the Eighth calling for executions," he quipped, underscoring the gravity of his concerns regarding ongoing threats to democracy. This sentiment was shared by SCMP and Le Monde.
Concluding his address, Kimmel expressed gratitude and urged British viewers not to lose faith in Americans amid the challenging political landscape. He reassured his audience, saying, “We’re going through a bit of a wobble right now, but we’ll come around.” Kimmel's blend of humor and serious critique serves as a reflection of the turbulent state of American politics while maintaining a hopeful outlook for transatlantic relations, reinforcing his message that not all Americans align with Trump's ideals, according to India Times, NPR, and Le Monde.