Jimmy Kimmel to Present Channel 4’s Unconventional Christmas Address
Jimmy Kimmel will deliver Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message, tackling freedom of speech and his apprehensions about Donald Trump’s possible return. The broadcast is scheduled for 5:45pm on 25 December.
Jimmy Kimmel has been selected to deliver Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message this year, a tradition that has run since 1993 as a counterpoint to the King’s annual address. Over the years, the slot has featured a diverse array of speakers, including Iran’s former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whistle-blower Edward Snowden, and Major Andrew Stockton, a veteran of the Afghan conflict.
Kimmel’s name has rarely been out of the news in 2025, largely due to his ongoing dispute with Donald Trump. In September, remarks he made on air regarding the public’s reaction to the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk led to a brief suspension from ABC. Trump, never one to miss an opportunity, publicly celebrated Kimmel’s removal. The incident prompted a wave of support from the entertainment world, with more than 400 prominent figures—including Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, and Jennifer Aniston—signing an open letter backing Kimmel and igniting a wider conversation about freedom of speech.
Public Outcry and Industry Support
Following a significant public backlash, Kimmel was reinstated and has since extended his contract with ABC through to 2027. Despite this, Trump has continued to call for his dismissal, posting on Truth Social in November:
“Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air?”
He went on to add,
“Why do the TV Syndicates put up with it? Also, totally biased coverage. Get the bum off the air!!!”
Kimmel’s Christmas address is expected to focus on the current state of free expression, as well as his concerns about the prospect of Trump securing a second term in office. The message will be delivered in a distinctly British fashion, with Kimmel seated beside a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits.
Addressing the Year’s Challenges
During his speech, Kimmel is set to remark,
“From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.”
According to insiders, he will also express gratitude to those who supported him during his suspension, with one Channel 4 source noting,
“He says the reason that he is back on air is because people spoke out and people protested.”
The Alternative Christmas Message will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 5:45pm on Christmas Day, offering viewers a different perspective on the year’s events and the ongoing debate around freedom of speech.