Top officials in President Trump’s administration faced scrutiny from The Washington Post for sharing Christmas messages that honored the birth of Jesus Christ. The newspaper criticized the posts as “explicitly sectarian,” sparking backlash from conservatives and Christians nationwide.
In a December 27 article, The Washington Post highlighted how several official government accounts marked Christmas by celebrating the birth of Jesus, calling it a shift from the usual “secular” tone in public holiday messaging. The outlet claimed these messages aligned with the cultural views of President Trump’s evangelical base.
One example included the Department of Homeland Security’s video featuring choir music and the caption, “Rejoice America, Christ is born!” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared a similar message, writing, “Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement posted a simple “Merry Christmas, America!” message.
The article’s tone drew swift condemnation. Critics accused The Washington Post of attacking the foundational meaning of Christmas and displaying bias against Christianity. Many pointed out the inconsistency of allowing government recognition of Pride events and other secular observances while objecting to Christmas messages about Christ.
Social media users responded sharply. One remarked, “Christmas is not a ‘secular holiday.’ Please see the name ‘Christ-mas.’” Others sarcastically likened the Post’s attitude to Ebenezer Scrooge. A commenter noted the double standard: “It’s okay for the government to post about gay pride and trans stuff but if it talks about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ then lines are crossed.”
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson pushed back, stating, “While the Washington Post would prefer we stick to ‘Happy Holidays,’ we’re saying Merry Christmas again. And Christmas is a Christian holiday for millions of Christians celebrating the birth of their Savior, whether The Washington Post likes it or not.”
President Trump’s official message emphasized the biblical origin of Christmas, praising the birth of Christ as “the perfect expression of God’s boundless love.” He described Jesus as “the Light of the World, the source of eternal salvation, and the living Son of God.”
President Trump also wished Americans a Merry Christmas on Christmas Eve, including those on the “radical left,” reaffirming his message of religious freedom and national identity rooted in Christian values.
