Contrasting Christmas Messages from Biden, Trump Highlight Political Divide
Outgoing President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump offered sharply different Christmas messages this year, underscoring the deep political divisions in the United States, Al Jazeera reports.
While Biden urged unity and reflection, Trump used the holiday to attack his political opponents and reiterate his political agenda.
On Christmas Eve, President Biden released a video tour of the White House Christmas decorations, where he called on Americans to put aside “all the noise and everything that divides us.” In a voiceover accompanying images of festive decor, Biden emphasized the need for empathy and respect.
“Too often we see each other as enemies, not as neighbors, not as fellow Americans.”
He encouraged a moment of “quiet reflection” to remember the values that unite the nation.
“We’re truly blessed to live in this nation,” he added.
Conversely, Donald Trump’s Christmas Day messages on Truth Social were more combative. He began with a brief “Merry Christmas” message alongside a photo with his wife, Melania. This was followed by numerous reposts of articles and social media posts supporting his political views on various issues, such as his defense secretary nominee and his past interest in purchasing Greenland.
Later, Trump posted a longer message that included criticism of President Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Democrats. He claimed that Chinese soldiers were operating the Panama Canal and called his political opponents “Radical Left Lunatics” who were trying to obstruct the court system and elections.
“Also, to Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, whose Citizens’ Taxes are far too high, but if Canada was to become our 51st State, their Taxes would be cut by more than 60 percent,” Trump wrote.
These contrasting messages come as the nation grapples with increasing political polarization. Biden, who took office in 2021, initially pledged to “end this uncivil war” and stepped aside for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race, seeking to unite the country. However, Democrats lost every battleground state and both houses of Congress in the recent November elections, demonstrating the deep rifts in the American electorate.
Trump, who has repeatedly called for the prosecution of his perceived political enemies and has pledged to restructure the federal government, continues to be a prominent figure in American politics. His continued focus on political disputes, even during the Christmas holiday, highlights the ongoing divisions that Biden had sought to bridge.
By some measures, political polarization in the country has increased, including during the 2024 campaign that saw Biden face Trump, again, before Kamala Harris took over the Democratic candidacy before she eventually lost the presidential election.
