As the United States prepares for a new administration, outgoing President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump shared starkly contrasting Christmas messages, reflecting their differing approaches and visions for the nation.
Biden calls for unity in final holiday message
Biden, in his final holiday message as president, called for reflection and unity. In a video tour of the White House Christmas decorations published on YouTube, he urged Americans to set aside divisions. “We’re here on this Earth to care for one another, to love one another,” he narrated as images of decorated trees and festive fireplaces played.
Biden also acknowledged the country’s polarization, saying, “Too often we see each other as enemies, not as neighbors.” Biden encouraged moments of “quiet reflection” to inspire dignity, respect, and unity, saying, “We’re truly blessed to live in this nation.”
Trump delivers politically charged Christmas posts
In contrast, Trump’s Christmas Day posts on Truth Social included a spirited “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!” alongside a photo of himself and Melania. He also said, “This will be the best Christmas of our lifetime, because of what is going to come!” in one of his posts. This was followed by a series of politically charged posts, including retweets backing his positions on issues like controversial defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and past ambitions like acquiring Greenland.
One of the posts featured a meme mocking former US President Barack Obama, showing a 2017 inauguration photo captioned, “When you see the guy who said ‘you’ll never be president’ at your inauguration.”
“Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal (where we lost 38,000 people in its building 110 years ago), always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in “repair” money, but will have absolutely nothing to say about ‘anything,'” Trump said in another post.
Biden bows out with civility, Trump returns with combative agenda
Biden, who stepped aside from the 2024 presidential race in July to support unity, marked the end of his decades-long career with a call for civility. In contrast, Trump—who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in November—continues to take a combative approach, vowing to prosecute political adversaries and restructure the federal government.
As Biden exits with a message of healing, Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, becoming the second president in US history to serve non-consecutive terms. The contrast in their holiday messages stresses the ongoing political divide as the nation transitions into a new chapter.
