Jimmy Kimmel has been slammed as ‘out of touch’ and a ‘joke’ after it was revealed that he would be delivering an alternative Christmas Message about fascism to British audiences.
The comedian is set to lecture Britons on the rise of authoritarianism on Channel 4‘s version of the traditional speech, which will run counter to the annual address given by King Charles on Christmas Day.
Kimmel reportedly decided to use the speech to poke fun at 2025 as a ‘great year’ from a ‘fascism perspective’, in reference to his show being taken off the air for comments he made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Viewers in Britain and America alike hit out at the comedian for his anticipated anti-Trump rant and expected omission of censorship issues plaguing Sir Keir Starmer‘s government.
‘He’s going to whine about free speech and fascism,’ said GB News presenter Alex Armstrong on X.
‘He won’t be referring to our govt, will he? It’ll all be Trump. [Channel Four] deeply out of touch as usual.’
Commentator Paul Thacker also pointed to the recent arrest of comedian Graham Linehan for making anti-trans jokes as evidence of the ‘double standard’ in choosing Kimmel for the alternative message.
‘The British establishment chose Jimmy Kimmel to speak out against fascism and in favor of free speech. This is the same government that only recently arrested comedian Graham Linehan,’ Thacker wrote.
Jimmy Kimmel sparked backlash after it was revealed he will poke fun at a ‘great year’ from a ‘fascism perspective’ when he delivers the Channel 4 Alternative Christmas Message
GB News presenter Alex Armstrong was among those who criticized the decision to have Kimmel deliver an anti-Trump rant for the Channel 4 Christmas Message
Commentator Paul Thacker also pointed to the recent arrest of comedian Graham Linehan for making anti-trans jokes as evidence of the ‘double standard’ in choosing Kimmel for the alternative message
Other critics waded into the controversy of Kimmel’s upcoming address by saying they wish he ‘stayed fired’
‘Everything is upside down in England and the funniest joke is Jimmy Kimmel.’
Other critics waded into the controversy of Kimmel’s upcoming address by saying they wish he had ‘stayed fired.’
‘His intent isn’t about UK residents who have been getting arrested for making Facebook posts about migrant rape gangs – It’s about Trump,’ said another critic.
In reports of Kimmel’s plans for his speech, the comedian is said to compare the US administration to the rise of fascism.
Kimmel has unabashedly hit out at Trump throughout the year, using his platform to criticize the President’s policies, rhetoric, and character, leading to a long-standing rivalry.
He was taken off the air in the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, as he delivered a monologue claiming the ‘MAGA gang’ was ‘desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it’.
He also accused them of ‘working very hard to capitalize on the murder’, before claiming Trump was grieving like a ‘four-year-old mourns a goldfish’.
Disney-owned ABC took his show off the air in response, while FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned the network its license could be at risk because of Kimmel’s content.
Trump later suggested that if any TV networks only give him bad press ‘maybe their license should be taken away.’
Kimmel’s chat show was pulled off air in September after accusing Trump and his allies of capitalizing on Charlie Kirk’s murder
His monologue claimed the ‘MAGA gang’ was ‘desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it’
The controversy led to backlash as the White House was accused of infringing on free speech and freedom of the press.
As well as slating Trump, Kimmel’s speech will also reflect on the events of the past year, sharing his own personal experiences and insights after being at the center of one of the stories that rocked the US.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: ‘Donald Trump’s return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025 and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the front line of America’s battle over free speech.’
Kimmel’s wife and head writer, Molly McNearney, has previously admitted that she and her husband had thought his career was effectively over.
But his show has secured a one-year contract extension, which will keep him on air until May 2027.
Channel 4’s annual broadcast, which first aired in 1993, aims to bring viewers a message about that year’s events.
Kimmel’s address follows on from previous messages delivered by a wide range of presenters, including British comedian Chris McCausland, who addressed ableism last year after becoming the first blind person to win UK show, Strictly Come Dancing.
Other presenters have included former president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actor and TV presenter Sir Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, and actor Danny Dyer.
The Alternative Christmas Message will air on Channel 4 at 5.45pm on Christmas Day.
