In what has been one of the more confusingly-timed Presidential brags, Donald Trump recently gave himself credit for winning the "War on Christmas".
Again.
After making the claim at a rally he was, of course, met with applause. But it wasn't the rally that really got people talking. The subject came up on a recent episode of The View when Whoopi Goldberg and Meghan McCain went in on the matter.
Goldberg's stance was she felt more comfortable saying "Happy Holidays" to people since not everyone is Christian and she wants to make sure she wishes people joy and happiness no matter what holiday they're celebrating during November and December. According to McCain, that proves the "War on Christmas" is real - even though McCain then says she's never had anyone be offended when she said "Merry Christmas" to them.
"I don't think I'm not inclusive. I think I am a Christian. I celebrate Christmas and I would like to wish merry Christmas to everyone, and no one has ever been offended, at least to my face."
Goldberg agreed almost nobody is offended and countered those who choosing to say "Happy Holidays" are just trying to be more inclusive of people who don't celebrate Christmas. There are tons of other holidays in December, after all. According to Goldberg, that's absolutely not a war or an attack on Christianity.
"If I'm comfortable saying 'Happy Holidays' because I'm not sure, or I say 'Merry Christmas' to people I know are Christians. It's not a war. … It's me trying to figure out what I want to do. But you can't tell me what I should be doing. You can't tell me I'm at war with you because I'm not saying 'Merry Christmas'."
McCain then claimed the fact they were even talking about it was proof that the "War on Christmas" was real and that Trump was "brilliant" to tackle the supposed Christian Holy war. After a bit more banter, Whoopi called it like she saw it and dismissed it as "a B.S. debate."
The Twittersphere definitely had feelings about the "War on Christmas."
The President is taking credit for ending the non-existent war on Christmas. Also, a gentle reminder it's July https://t.co/wleqmJpxC3— Salvador Hernandez (@Salvador Hernandez) 1533081207.0
@TheView @MeghanMcCain The “War on Christmas” is a manufactured FOX News story. Christmas is a federal holiday. Al… https://t.co/KomPofdeb6— Steven (@Steven) 1533151548.0
THERE 👏🏽 IS 👏🏽 NO 👏🏽 WAR 👏🏽 ON 👏🏽 CHRISTMAS. #TheView— Kavin (@Kavin) 1533136418.0
@kellylyric001 @JWGOP Lol...And my personal fave-acknowledge other religions in December with Happy Holidays=War on Christmas!— Kathleen Allen (@Kathleen Allen) 1533402571.0
These lying ass people talking about there's a war on Christmas wouldn't know war if they woke up in the middle of… https://t.co/AHB1AfxlXC— Sir John (@Sir John) 1533261617.0
Even the Christian clergy felt a responsibility to correct McCain's claims.
As a #Christian minister, let me reaffirm once again there is no #WarOnChristmas. @WhoopiGoldberg is correct and… https://t.co/8UXpAfehao— Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie (@Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie) 1533182773.0
@BamjcastA McCain's argument is: saying "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons' Greetings"=a 'war on Christmas'. I'm saying… https://t.co/DXdiT4RvUl— 🇺🇸CandaceTX™🇺🇸 (@🇺🇸CandaceTX™🇺🇸) 1533181679.0
@TheView Since @MeghanMcCain clearly doesn’t get what @sunny said when she says “A war takes two sides”, lemme expl… https://t.co/I8rWfJb32d— Eamon Paton (@Eamon Paton) 1533142980.0
The sarcasm and snark was on full display - like a Disney holiday lights festival.
When is Trump going to negotiate with Santa Claus to return the remains of all the soldiers lost in the war on Christmas?— Ryan (@Ryan) 1533125931.0
I did not valiantly serve multiple tours during the War on Christmas just for Donald Trump to come along and disres… https://t.co/D3GiLNiiI2— Christopher (@Christopher) 1533087338.0
Okay troops start gathering, time to prepare for our War on Christmas. First mission is the take down of the Hallmark Network.— chaplinlives (@chaplinlives) 1533220029.0
If I live in the Midwest, what unit do I join for the war on Christmas.— sarcasticswede (@sarcasticswede) 1533173712.0
I religiously watch The View, waiting for Meghan McCain to pull off her mask & reveal she's in fact Elisabeth Hasse… https://t.co/uhqbtHFAAD— Aisha Brown (@Aisha Brown) 1533169553.0
@JRehling Damn, a preemptive, August strike this time! That @realDonaldTrump is a true military genius!— Jana Ben-Moshe (@Jana Ben-Moshe) 1533104488.0
I know everyone is still worn out from the #secondcivilwar ..... but please fuel up. The war on Christmas is just a… https://t.co/wURukEJNJo— Heather (@Heather) 1532887531.0
But not everyone thinks this is a non-issue. To some, this Fox News creation is a real thing.
@TheView I remember Target and other employers mandated their employees say ONLY Happy Holidays. I'm pretty sure th… https://t.co/i4c75cVQ4I— Connie Graybeal (@Connie Graybeal) 1533185635.0
@TheView @WhoopiGoldberg Meghan is annoying, but I have to agree with her on this. As a teacher in the80s in Cambr… https://t.co/DXkxXobtCy— Robin G. White (@Robin G. White) 1533152840.0
@TheView @MeghanMcCain This really happened. Have people forgotten about all the retail store employees who were t… https://t.co/vYeI8uIakr— Heather Thommen (@Heather Thommen) 1533150524.0
@TheView @MeghanMcCain It is real employees at retail are told not to say merry Christmas at risk of discipline. Sc… https://t.co/YCfClHnaoE— Venus (@Venus) 1533204386.0
You can watch a clip of the debate here.
Is the war on Christmas real? Did Trump win it?
Or is this a non-issue being brought up again to divide and distract people.
H/T: Huffington Post, Twitter, YouTube