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Wisconsin Republican Representative Mike Gallagher expressed dismay about a Christmas event in Wisconsin that featured numerous uniquely adorned Christmas trees, one of which bore a Satan-themed decoration.
Speaking on Fox News regarding the Festival of Trees at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Gallagher stated his reluctance to take his children to the event due to the presence of what he referred to as "satanic trees."
He said:
"Every year, the National Railroad Museum does something interesting and cool and fun for kids... but now? I wouldn't want to take my kids to it now. I don't want them to be surrounded by Satanic trees."
"The local reporting has been insufficient. The whole thing is absurd and I would say one final thing: Conservatives are often accused of launching a culture war or focusing or fixating on cultural issues, but here is a perfect example of how that’s not what’s happening.”
"What's happening is we're just trying to defend basic traditions or defend our children in the midst of these basic traditions from the encroachment of wok ideology or offensive upside down cultural propaganda."
"The whole thing is a shame. I thought that northeast Wisconsin was at least immune to something you might see in New York and California but we need to be vigilant as parents."
You can hear what he said in the video below.
Contrary to the perceived notion, the Satan-themed tree did not symbolize worship or veneration of Satan.
The Satanic Temple’s Wisconsin chapter clarified that they don't believe in Satan as an actual entity to be worshipped. Their tree decoration was a nod to their own winter holiday, Sol Invictus, in the spirit of embracing religious diversity during the holiday season, aligning with other faiths celebrating around the same time.
The organization issued the following statement:
“Tree decorating is a fun and rewarding holiday tradition with roots in paganism. We decorated the tree to celebrate our own winter holiday, Sol Invictus, and in the spirit of religious plurality and togetherness with other world religions that have holidays around this time of year.”
Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves responded to Gallagher's comments on X, formerly Twitter, taunting him as "teary-eyed, quivering [and] confused."
Gallagher's reaction received swift ridicule from critics.
Fox News dedicates considerable coverage each year to the alleged "War on Christmas." This manufactured notion that the holiday is under attack has long mobilized conservatives.
In 2021, conservative commentator Meghan McCain jumped to the defense of "radical" Republicans after authorities arrested a man in connection with the burning of a Christmas tree outside the Fox News building.
No one was hurt in the blaze and firefighters were able to quickly extinguish it. However, the news of the blaze angered McCain, who seemed to suggest that the destruction of property is evidence that Democratic politicians are as "radical" as the Republicans they've criticized.
Similarly, Newsmax—which has absolutely bought into the claims that Democrats are waging a "war" against the holiday—has published lists of supposed occurrences across the country to support this notion, once criticizing producer Shonda Rhimes' Scandal for incorporating the holiday song "Silent Night" during a scene in which a main character gets an abortion.