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
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryThis event demonstrates the perennial nature of the 'War on Christmas' for Trump - a grievance so politically powerful he deploys it regardless of season. The Kennedy Center venue choice was controversial; the arts institution typically hosts cultural performances, not political rallies. Pastor Robert Jeffress, who organized the event, later made news for inflammatory comments about Jews and Muslims. The mixing of military tribute, evangelical Christianity, and culture-war grievance in a July 4th weekend event exemplified Trump's fusion of Christian nationalism with patriotic symbolism.