Washington, D.C. — On Christmas Day, U.S. President Donald J. Trump sent an unusually combative holiday message to the nation that blended seasonal greetings with sharp political rhetoric and a litany of claims about economic performance, national security, social policy, and crime.
In a post shared on his social platform, the president wrote, “Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly.” The message then outlined a series of accomplishments the president attributed to his administration during 2025.
Economic Growth: A Record Pace but With Nuance
One of the central claims in the message was that the American economy is booming, citing a 4.3% GDP growth rate — “two points better than expected.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, a figure that exceeded many economists’ forecasts and marked the fastest pace in two years. This growth was powered by strong consumer spending, increases in exports, and higher government expenditure.
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Economists say that such a pace is notable, especially given global economic headwinds and lingering inflation pressures, but they also warn that the growth may not carry uniformly into the final quarter of the year due to factors including spending slowdowns and a government shutdown earlier in 2025.
However, while the president touted “no inflation,” data from government economic reports indicate inflation has not disappeared; major price indices remain above the Federal Reserve’s long-term target of 2%, complicating future monetary policy decisions.
Stock Markets and 401(k)s: Highs Following Earlier Turmoil
The president also claimed record highs for the stock market and 401(k) retirement accounts. Indeed, after significant volatility earlier in 2025 — including a stock market downturn linked to tariff and trade tensions in April that led to one of the sharpest declines of the year — major U.S. indices have rebounded strongly, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new highs later in the year.
These later gains have helped many retirement accounts recover and grow, although markets have remained sensitive to ongoing policy shifts and geopolitical concerns.
Tariffs, Trade Policy, and Government Revenue
A standout theme in the president’s message was praise for his tariff policies. Under the second Trump administration, the average U.S. tariff rate was raised substantially on many imported goods — in some periods reaching historic highs — which generated significant tariff revenue for the federal government. By late 2025, tariff collections reportedly exceeded $250 billion for the year.
Proponents argue that these measures have bolstered domestic industry and contributed to export growth, while critics contend that tariffs have also raised costs for consumers and disrupted global supply chains.
Crime, Law Enforcement, and Border Security
In his holiday message, the president asserted the country now has “the lowest crime numbers in decades” and “no weak law enforcement.” While recent FBI crime data has shown declines in certain major crime categories compared with previous years, crime rates vary widely by locality and category, and comprehensive 2025 national statistics are still being compiled.
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On immigration and border security policy, the administration has pushed for stricter enforcement measures. A major legislative package passed earlier in 2025 boosted funding for border security, including billions for additional personnel, detention capacity, and infrastructure — efforts the White House says have reduced unauthorized border crossings.
Social Policy Statements
The president’s message also included commentary on social issues, such as asserting that there are no longer “men in women’s sports” or “transgender for everyone” policies. These phrases reflect broader political debates in the United States over gender identity in sports and federal policy. In January 2025, the administration signed an executive order narrowing federal recognition of gender identity and restricting certain gender-affirming policies in federal programs — a move that has been both applauded by some conservative constituencies and criticized by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
Public Reaction and Political Context
The Christmas message drew reactions across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the president’s economic framing and rhetoric of national strength, while critics decried the partisan language and disputed some of the claims as overly simplistic or misleading.
“It’s unusual to see holiday greetings used as a platform for political attacks,” commented one analyst, pointing to the combative tone of the message. Other commentators focused on the substantial economic achievements contemporaneous with ongoing challenges — such as persistently above-target inflation, a labor market showing mixed signals, and uneven wage growth.
As 2025 draws to a close, Americans head into the holiday season with a complex portrait of economic performance, social discourse, and political division — highlights that underscore how data and rhetoric can tell different parts of the same national story.
