In a striking televised address to British viewers on Christmas Day, American talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel delivered Channel 4’s annual Alternative Christmas Message, warning that “tyranny is booming” in the United States and urging audiences not to underestimate threats to democratic norms. Kimmel, who has been at the centre of a public dispute over free speech after his ABC programme was briefly suspended following critical remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing, used the UK platform to reflect on the tumultuous year in U.S. politics and media. From a “fascism perspective,” he said, the United States had experienced a remarkably fraught period, evoking concern about censorship and the erosion of civil liberties. The Alternative Christmas Message, a long-standing Channel 4 tradition designed as a thought-provoking counterpoint to the British monarch’s annual speech, provided Kimmel with an international stage to critique the political climate under President Donald Trump’s leadership and the challenges facing independent journalism. He referenced the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, attributing it to political pressure, and framed his swift return to the airwaves as a testament to the public’s defence of free expression. Kimmel acknowledged that Americans are “not all like” the most vocal proponents of authoritarian rhetoric and appealed to UK audiences not to “give up” on the United States, expressing hope for democratic renewal ahead of future elections. His remarks combined satire and sober reflection, characteristically marking a year in which U.S. politics, media freedom and governance have resonated far beyond America’s borders. The broadcast underscored ongoing debates about political rhetoric, media independence and the global implications of shifts in American democratic practice.