One side note that Donald Trump was happy to talk about during the election was his promise to put an end to the so-called "War on Christmas." After attending the 95th annual National Christmas tree Lighting and giving a speech to a small crowd, the president decided to say a few words on Twitter, but didn't get the best response
Trump on Christmas
For years during the holiday season, conservatives and the right-wing media have brought up the alleged "War on Christmas," which they believe is an attempt by liberals to minimize the holiday by broadening the season to include other holidays, such as Hanukkah, New Years, and Kwanaza.
During the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump vowed that he would make sure to say "Merry Christmas" at the White House, accusing then President Barack Obama for dropping the phrase in favor of the more inclusive "Happy Holidays." While Obama did use the term "Happy Holidays" on occasion, he often repeated "Merry Christmas" on a routine basis as the holiday came near. Fast forward to present day and the former host of "The Apprentice" was happy to attend the lighting of a Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. before adding his thoughts during a pair of tweets on November 30.
Journalists note small crowd at Trump's Christmas tree lighting https://t.co/6zVEqrlIWX pic.twitter.com/DF2T13Y6VH
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 1, 2017
After attending the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on Thursday night, Donald Trump took to Twitter to repeat similar sediments.
"Today is a day that I’ve been looking very much forward to ALL YEAR LONG. It is one that you have heard me speak about many times before," Trump said, and later tweeted. "It is my tremendous honor to finally wish America and the world, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!" he added.
Today is a day that I’ve been looking very much forward to ALL YEAR LONG. It is one that you have heard me speak about many times before.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017
Now, as President of the United States, it is my tremendous honor to finally wish America and the world, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! pic.twitter.com/cTvdlUkfHV
Not stopping there, Donald Trump went on to praise the religious aspect of Christmas.
"Whatever our beliefs, we know that the birth of Jesus Christ and the story of his life," he said. In response, journalists and social media couldn't help but point out the low turn out to watch the president speak.
The National Tree Lighting ceremony was beautiful this evening - but hard not to notice the empty seats. #Christmas #DMV #USA pic.twitter.com/oKMrnnBekG
— Steve Rudin ABC7 (@SteveRudinABC7) November 30, 2017
Social media reaction
After Donald Trump gloated about saying "Merry Christmas," those who oppose the president wasted no time making their thoughts loud and clear.
"Merry Christmas empty seats!!!" one tweet read, in reference to the small crowd there to watch Trump speak at the tree lighting.
Merry Christmas empty seats!!! pic.twitter.com/ZX5AXDY6kE
— Impeach The Freak (@ImpeachTheFreak) December 1, 2017
You should be wishing people happy holidays, Merry Christmas and whatever else they celebrate. This is America. We are free to believe what we choose!.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) December 1, 2017
So many empty seats. SAD!
— Mark Rice 🤔 (@mark_rice_) December 1, 2017
"The Grinch had a better showing in Whoville," another tweet stated. "The majority of Americans know you don't give a cr*p...stop. Looks like the biggest tree lighting crowd ever," one Twitter user wrote with humor.
annnnnnnd the tax bill is falling apart. Just like your presidency. #MuellersComing
— Steven Thomas (@madvirtualizer) December 1, 2017
And just what in tarnation is this idiotic tweet supposed to mean? Do you think you invented Christmas or something? lmaooooo bro this really isn’t that deep, you’re acting like you solved police brutality. btw you realize Obama said “Merry Christmas” literally every single year?
— Andrew Sweeney (@Sweezy_F_Baby) December 1, 2017
The majority of Americans know you don't give a crap...stop. Looks like the biggest tree lighting crowd ever..LMFAO. BTW, many of us are also anticipating that shoe that's abt to drop. You're obviously very
— Lola Wood (@Ldydewood) December 1, 2017
nervous.
"Perhaps you'll get a Lego set so you can build your wall," yet another tweet added.
"Annnnnnnd the tax bill is falling apart. Just like your presidency," an additional post read. The humorous backlash to Donald Trump's Christmas posts continued as the opposition to his presidency proved to be alive and well.
