WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Outgoing and incoming U.S. presidents had different messages for the Christmas holiday, with Democrat Joe Biden urging Americans to reflect and unite and Republican Donald Trump offering holiday greetings , and published a series of politically themed posts on social media.
Biden posted a video tour of the White House Christmas decorations on YouTube late on Christmas Eve, in which he urged Americans to put aside “all the noise and everything that divides us.”
“We are put on this earth to care for each other and to love each other,” Biden said in a voiceover, as the camera panned over the White House’s beautifully decorated evergreens and decorative fireplaces. “Too often we see each other as enemies, not neighbors and not fellow Americans,” he said.
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Biden urged Americans to find a moment of “quiet reflection,” remind themselves to treat each other with dignity and respect, “live in the light,” and remember that it is more important to unite Americans than divide them. “We’re really lucky to live in this country,” he said.
On Christmas Day, Trump posted a “Merry Christmas” message on “Truth Social” along with a photo of him and his wife, Melania, and subsequently retweeted more than two dozen articles or Other social media posts support his political positions on controversial topics such as defense.
One was a mocking meme of Barack Obama that showed a photo of the 44th president and Trump at the 2017 inauguration, accompanied by the message: “When you see that in… When you’re the one who said at your inauguration, ‘You’ll never be president.’
Biden took office in 2021, vowing to “end this uncivil war between red and blue, rural and urban, conservatives and liberals” and said he was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race in July to unite the country .
In some ways, the country’s polarization has only intensified, including during the 2024 campaign that pits Biden against Trump again before Democratic Kamala Harris takes office.
Trump has called for the prosecution of perceived political opponents and vowed to reorganize the federal government.
(Reporting by Heather Timmons; Editing by Sandra Mahler)
