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Newsom's Christmas Tweet Sparks Backlash and Viral Memes

12/12/2025

40 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, faced backlash for not explicitly mentioning "Christmas" in a December 10, 2025 tweet about the Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony.
He did wish the crowd a 'Merry Christmas' in a video, but critics expressed disappointment.
In a separate interview, Newsom credited the late Charlie Kirk with deepening his understanding of Christianity.
Newsom's unusual sitting pose at a public event went viral, spawning memes.

History

Historical Context

The 2005 "Christmas Tree Promotion Act" underscored the cultural importance of Christmas, with the National Christmas Tree Association reporting a $100 million industry. However, debates over secularism versus religious expression persist, as seen in 2025 when Newsom omitted "Christmas" from holiday references, igniting backlash and reflecting ongoing tensions in American holiday celebrations and political discourse.

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Story summary

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, faced backlash for not explicitly mentioning "Christmas" in a December 10, 2025 tweet about the Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony.
He did wish the crowd a 'Merry Christmas' in a video, but critics expressed disappointment.
In a separate interview, Newsom credited the late Charlie Kirk with deepening his understanding of Christianity.
Newsom's unusual sitting pose at a public event went viral, spawning memes.

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