The outgoing and incoming US presidents offered starkly contrasting messages for Christmas on Wednesday. President Joe Biden urged unity and reflection, while former President Donald Trump delivered holiday greetings mixed with sharp political attacks.
In a video released on Christmas Eve, Biden narrated a virtual tour of the White House Christmas decorations, calling on Americans to set aside divisions and care for one another.
“We’re here on this Earth to care for one another, to love one another,” Biden said, as scenes of decorated evergreen trees and fireplaces played. He encouraged quiet reflection, dignity, and respect, reminding Americans to “live in the light” and recognise that more unites them than divides them.
“We’re truly blessed to live in this nation,” he added.
On Christmas morning, Trump shared a “Merry Christmas” message on Truth Social, accompanied by a photo of himself and his wife, Melania. This was followed by dozens of re-posts supporting his political positions on issues like Defence Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and his controversial proposals regarding Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Later, Trump posted a more pointed message, accusing Chinese soldiers of operating the Panama Canal and criticising Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Biden, and Democrats.
“Merry Christmas to the Radical Left Lunatics, who are constantly trying to obstruct our Court System and our Elections,” Trump wrote. He also proposed that if Canada became the 51st US state, taxes for Canadians would decrease significantly.
Biden, who took office in 2021 pledging to “end this uncivil war that pits red against blue,” had withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race earlier this year, allowing Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket.
However, the November election resulted in Democrats losing every battleground state and control of both houses of Congress.
Polarisation in the US has only deepened, with the incoming Congress projected to be the most divided in history.
Trump, meanwhile, has called for prosecuting his political opponents, restructuring the federal government, and pursuing controversial geopolitical initiatives, including taking over the Panama Canal.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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