Several Twitter users argued Sunday that the Republican National Committee went too far by issuing a Christmas message that made reference to a “new King,” which some said was an attempt to compare President-elect Trump to Jesus Christ.
In the passage that is garnering a lot of social media buzz, the GOP said:
“Merry Christmas to all! Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world, a Savior who would offer the promise of salvation to all mankind. Just as the three wise men did on that night, this Christmas heralds a time to celebrate the good news of a new King. We hope Americans celebrating Christmas today will enjoy a day of festivities and a renewed closeness with family and friends.”
The Republican Party went from freaking out about Donald Trump to equating him with Jesus. What the actual hell. https://t.co/7bEgL6kJHG
— James Neveau (@JamesNeveau) December 25, 2016
The US Republican National. Committee just compared Donald Drumpf to Jesus Christ in its Christmas Message. https://t.co/HruzpCJQQU
— Vijay Sankaran (@vijaysankaran) December 25, 2016
The Republican Party seems to have issued a press release likening Trump to Jesus. 2016 still has some weirdness left in it. pic.twitter.com/S58Cymqzod
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) December 25, 2016
Guys, calm down. The RNC statement isn’t about Donald Trump. It’s about Vladimir Putin. https://t.co/ckgyXdGsPf
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) December 25, 2016
They’re really embracing the Cheeto Jesus thing. https://t.co/ckgyXdGsPf
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) December 25, 2016
While some were quick to claim that the passage was referring to Trump, with the wording referring to “this Christmas” in particular. Others said that the “King” here merely is referring to Jesus Christ.
Isn’t “new king” just what people call Jesus every xmas
— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24) December 25, 2016
Sean Spicer, RNC communications director and soon-to-be White House press secretary, indicated on Twitter that the RNC tweet was solely a reference to Christ being “the King of the Christians.”
Christ is the King. He was born today so we could be saved. Its sad & disappointing you are politicizing such a holy day. https://t.co/NEOkLNd1Mz
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) December 25, 2016
On this holy day of Christmas @CNN @greggbirnbaum mock @gop 4 acknowledging that Christ is the King of Christians https://t.co/2G7R67YcyR
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) December 25, 2016
This story has been updated
