Trump Stirs Controversy With Bold Christmas Messages And Bold Policy Claims, Shading China and Canada

US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump delivered sharply contrasting Christmas messages on Wednesday. Biden shared a brief, traditional message emphasizing “kindness and compassion,” while Trump unleashed a flurry of posts focusing on political grievances and controversial proposals.

Trump’s Christmas statements included criticism of “radical left lunatics” and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he accused of burdening Canadian citizens with high taxes. In one post, Trump said, “Merry Christmas to the Radical Left Lunatics, who are constantly trying to obstruct our Court System and our Elections,” employing his trademark erratic capitalization.

Trump also reignited debates over acquiring the Panama Canal, buying Greenland, and annexing Canada. He referred to Trudeau as the “governor” of Canada and argued that if Canada became the “51st State,” taxes would drop by 60%, and businesses would flourish. He expressed frustration with China’s influence over the Panama Canal, asserting that the U.S. spends billions on maintenance but lacks control over its operations. Shortly after, Trump announced Kevin Marino Cabrera as his choice for ambassador to Panama, calling the country “a nation ripping us off on the Panama Canal.”

The stark difference between Biden’s holiday message and Trump’s polarizing rhetoric underscores the heightened political divisions following Trump’s comeback electoral win in November. While Biden called for unity, Trump’s posts leaned into the nation’s polarization, framing himself as “patriot of the year” and targeting political adversaries.