Trump sparks controversy with “bad Santa” comments to children on Christmas Eve

President Donald Trump sparked backlash on Christmas Eve after remarks he made to children during NORAD’s annual Santa tracking phone call drew widespread criticism online.

Appearing alongside First Lady Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Trump spoke with children about Santa’s journey but unsettled listeners by warning about a potential “bad Santa” entering the country, language many found jarring for a holiday tradition.

The nearly 21-minute call quickly went viral, with social media users calling the comments inappropriate and awkward. Critics said the tone felt unsettling and poorly suited for a children-focused event.

Trump also introduced political themes into the conversations, referencing elections, intelligence, and even praising states that supported him. In one call, he told children from Oklahoma that Santa loved their state just as much as he did because of its election results.

Some lighter moments occurred, such as when Trump joked about coal with a child from Kansas and tried to keep the exchange playful. Still, many felt these moments were overshadowed by the political undertones.

Further criticism followed when Trump inaccurately told a young child that he had won Pennsylvania three times, despite official records showing otherwise. Later, he posted a sharply partisan Christmas message on Truth Social, targeting political opponents.

The NORAD Santa tracking tradition, which began accidentally in 1955, is typically light-hearted and apolitical. This year’s call, however, left many questioning whether Trump’s language and messaging were appropriate for a family-centered holiday event.