President Donald Trump of the United States has once again placed himself at the center of America’s long-running cultural debate over Christmas greetings, insisting on the use of “Merry Christmas” instead of the more inclusive “Happy Holidays.”

Trump made the remark earlier this month after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard offered a pre-Christmas greeting during a White House Cabinet meeting. The exchange underscored Trump’s rejection of language he associates with progressive or “woke” culture and his preference for explicitly Christian expressions in public life.

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While “Merry Christmas” appears innocuous to many Americans, critics in recent years have described it as Christian-centric in an increasingly multicultural and multiethnic society. This concern has driven the wider adoption of “Happy Holidays” by government institutions and corporations seeking to include non-Christian faiths and secular celebrations during the season.

Trump views that shift as ideological overreach. Since his first term, he has argued that “Merry Christmas” was deliberately sidelined by progressives and has made reclaiming the phrase a recurring theme of his political messaging.

In a Christmas statement published on the White House website, Trump emphasized the religious meaning of the holiday. “The birth of Jesus was a moment of perfect revelation of God’s infinite love and His desire to be close to His people,” he said. “Even now, we rejoice in the gift of His only Son and pray that Christ’s grace continues to pour out on all who believe.”

Referencing the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Trump added that “faith, family, and freedom” have been central to American identity. “As president, I will never waver in defending the fundamental values that have made America the greatest nation in history, and we will always remain one nation under God,” he said.

Since returning to office, Trump has reinforced this posture by establishing the Presidential Commission on Religious Freedom, creating the White House Office of Faith Initiatives, and signing executive orders aimed at combating what his administration describes as anti-Christian discrimination.

Ahead of Christmas, the White House released multiple holiday messages on social media, many consisting simply of the words “Merry Christmas” alongside photos of Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. On Christmas Eve, December 24, Trump posted a more pointed message, offering holiday greetings “including the radical leftist riffraff who have tried everything to destroy our country,” before listing his economic and social achievements and ending with, “May God bless America.”

The president’s stance has been echoed by members of his Cabinet. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of Transportation Shawn Duffy all used “Merry Christmas” in their official messages. Rubio went further, framing the holiday in explicitly theological terms, saying, “The joyful message of Christmas is the hope of eternal life through Christ.”

The debate has also drawn in Trump allies outside government. Tesla CEO Elon Musk criticized Air France for using “Happy Holidays” in its seasonal greeting, contrasting it with Emirates Airlines’ use of “Merry Christmas.” The criticism attracted attention given that Musk’s Starlink service partners with Air France to provide in-flight Wi-Fi. Musk and other Trump supporters argue that Europe’s retreat from traditional cultural and religious values has contributed to what they describe as a broader civilizational crisis.

Among Trump’s MAGA base, the emphasis on “Merry Christmas” has been celebrated as a cultural victory, with supporters declaring that traditional American values have been “taken back.”

Democratic leaders, meanwhile, struck a more blended tone. Former President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, used “Merry Christmas” in their public messages but also included “Happy Holidays,” reflecting the greater religious and cultural diversity within the Democratic coalition.

The annual debate over holiday greetings, once a minor linguistic issue, has become a symbolic marker in America’s broader culture wars, with “Merry Christmas” now serving as a shorthand for deeper disagreements over religion, identity, and national values.