Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel took aim at President Trump as he warned on Thursday of the rise of fascism in an address to British viewers dubbed the “Alternative Christmas Message.”
The report, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected the impact of a second term on Trump, who Kimmel said was acting like he was a king.
“From the point of view of fascism, this was a truly great year,” he said. “Tyranny thrives here.”
In 1993, the channel began the tradition of broadcasting an alternative Christmas message as a counterpart to the Christmas message. Annual televised address by the British monarch nation. Channel 4 said the message is often thought-provoking and a personal reflection relevant to the events of the year.
The comedian has criticized Mr. Trump since returning to air following ABC's suspension. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in September after criticism of the presenter's comments regarding the murder of a conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel made remarks about the reaction to Kirk shootingsuggesting that many Trump supporters were trying to capitalize on the death.
Mr. Trump celebrated suspension veteran late-night comedian and frequent critic, calling it “great news for America.” He also called for other late-night presenters to be fired.
The incident, one of Trump's many controversies and legal battles with the media, has raised widespread concerns about free speech and press freedom.
Hundreds of top Hollywood stars and others in the entertainment industry called on Americans to “fight to protect and preserve our constitutionally protected rights.” The show returned to air less than a week later.
Kimmel told British audiences that a Christmas miracle happened in September when millions of people, some of whom hated his show, came out for free speech.
“We won, the president lost, and now I'm back on the air every night giving the most powerful politician on earth the right and well-deserved crap,” he said.
Channel 4 previously invited whistleblower Edward Snowden and former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to deliver an alternative Christmas message.
Kimmel, who said he didn't expect the British to know who he was, warned that silencing critics isn't just something that happens in Russia or North Korea.
Despite the rift that led to the American Revolution 250 years ago, he said there was still a special relationship between the two countries and urged Britain not to abandon the US as it was “going through a little wobble right now”.
“Here in the United States, right now, we are both figuratively and literally destroying the structures of our democracy: from a free press to science, medicine, judicial independence and a de facto White House,” Kimmel said, referring to demolition of the east wing of the building. “We're a mess, and we know that includes you, and I just wanted to say I'm sorry.”
