Declares 'we're going to start saying Merry Christmas again' at July 4th evangelical rally

At the 'Celebrate Freedom Rally' at the Kennedy Center - an event hosted by First Baptist Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress and Salem Media Group - Trump revived his 'War on Christmas' rhetoric in the middle of summer. During a speech ostensibly honoring veterans at the July 4th weekend event, Trump told the evangelical audience: 'I remind you that we're going to start saying Merry Christmas again.' The crowd roared approval. The comment was bizarre given it was July, but revealed the evergreen political utility of the manufactured grievance for Trump's evangelical base. Washington Post noted Trump was 'bringing up the war on Christmas in July.' The rally blended religious nationalism with military tribute at the nation's premier arts venue.

"I remind you that we're going to start saying Merry Christmas again." — Celebrate Freedom Rally, Kennedy Center, Washington DC, July 1, 2017