Kimmel Broadcasts Warnings of Democratic Erosion to United Kingdom Audience
London, Friday, 26 December 2025.
Addressing UK viewers, Kimmel analyzed American political instability, claiming “tyranny is booming” and satirically labeling the President “King Donny VIII” amidst concerns over executive overreach and free speech.
A Satirical Critique of Governance
In the broadcast aired on December 25, 2025, Kimmel offered a stark assessment of the American political landscape to British viewers, quipping that “from a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year” for the United States [1][3]. The late-night host, filling the slot traditionally reserved for alternative commentary to the Royal Christmas broadcast, described the U.S. government as “a right mess,” asserting that the administration is “figuratively and literally tearing down the structures of our democracy,” ranging from the free press and science to judicial independence [1][3]. Kimmel specifically referenced the demolition of the White House’s East Wing as a tangible example of this dismantling process [1].
Free Speech and the “Christmas Miracle”
The address heavily referenced the friction between the Trump administration and media figures, specifically recounting the events of September 2025 when “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was indefinitely suspended following Kimmel’s controversial remarks regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk [1][2]. During this period, Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had pressured the network to take action, a move Kimmel characterized as a government threat against his employment [2][3]. Kimmel described his reinstatement less than a week later as a “Christmas miracle” that actually occurred in September, attributing the show’s return to the millions of Americans who voiced support for free speech [1][3]. In his message to the UK, he declared a victory for his platform, stating, “We won, the president lost, and now I’m back on the air every night giving the most powerful politician on Earth a right and richly deserved bollicking” [2][4].
Rising Tensions and Executive Rhetoric
Kimmel’s commentary also illuminated the broader civil unrest defining the second Trump term, specifically referencing the “No Kings” protests that began on October 18, 2025, involving tens of millions of demonstrators opposing the administration [2][3]. The host drew attention to the escalating rhetoric from the executive branch, citing a Truth Social post from November 20, 2025, in which President Trump accused six Democratic members of Congress of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” [2]. While Trump clarified the following day that he was not literally threatening execution, Kimmel used the incident to warn the British audience that government silencing is not exclusive to authoritarian regimes like Russia or North Korea [1][2]. The White House dismissed Kimmel’s address, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson stating that the host had “wasted his time” doing something “no one cares to watch” [2].
A Plea for Patience
Despite the grim characterization of domestic affairs, Kimmel concluded the broadcast with a plea for international patience, urging the United Kingdom not to “give up” on the United States [1][4]. Acknowledging that the country is currently “going through a bit of a wobble,” he estimated that the U.S. would “come around” in approximately three years, a direct allusion to the prospective end of the current presidential term in 2028 [4][5]. He reassured viewers that not all Americans align with the current administration’s values, emphasizing that the democratic structures, though under siege, are defended by a populace willing to protest [3][5].