While it’s customary for politicians to deliver Christmas messages, the recent remarks made by US President Donald Trump about the holiday have caused some surprise. On Christmas Eve, the President engaged in conversations with children who were excitedly waiting for Santa Claus, using the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) to monitor Santa’s journey worldwide.
Rather than focusing on the children’s Christmas wishes or their preparations for Santa’s visit, Trump revisited the 2020 presidential election, a contentious topic among his supporters who falsely believe that Joe Biden’s victory was illegitimate. The unresolved feelings from the election led to a violent incident on January 6, 2021, when a group of Trump supporters attempted to disrupt the Electoral College vote count at the Capitol building in Washington.
Despite being re-elected subsequently, Trump seems preoccupied with his loss in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election. During a call with a five-year-old at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump claimed, without evidence, that he had won Pennsylvania three times. He also tied back the conversation to the 2020 election while speaking with another child about tracking Santa, mentioning his fondness for Oklahoma.
These interactions during the broadcast did not sit well with viewers, who described them as cringeworthy on social media platforms like Twitter. This is not the first time Trump has faced criticism for his discussions involving Santa Claus, as evidenced by a previous incident in 2018 where he questioned a child’s belief in Santa.
On Christmas Day, Trump’s message took a negative turn as he criticized what he referred to as “the Radical Left Scum” who he believes are attempting to harm the country. The official Trump account on Twitter posted a message extending Christmas wishes, which included the controversial reference to his political opponents.
The President’s Christmas Eve calls and subsequent messages were met with mixed reactions, with many expressing disappointment in his approach towards the holiday season and children’s festivities.