Even Trump’s most vocal opponents stuck to festive messages, having used the days before Christmas to deliver more pointed political messages at the president

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

US politicians sent messages of peace, joy and hope on Christmas as a tumultuous year in US politics nears to a close.

Christmas after a hurricane: 'We still must celebrate the holidays' Read more

Even Donald Trump’s most vocal opponents stuck to festive messages on Christmas Day, having used the days ahead of the holiday to deliver more pointed political messages at the president.

Barack Obama shared of photo of his family with some small children dressed as elves in a festive setting. “We wish you joy and peace this holiday season,” the tweet said.

Barack Obama (@BarackObama) On behalf of the Obama family, Merry Christmas! We wish you joy and peace this holiday season. pic.twitter.com/CNFUZrhrBj

The former vice-president Joe Biden posted a video message with his wife, Jill Biden. The couple wished everyone a happy holiday and used much of their one minute and 45 second video to send a special message of support to people in the military, veterans and their families.

Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) Jill and I, and the whole Biden family, want to wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. pic.twitter.com/X2xHY8pjtT

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who has repeatedly been targeted by Donald Trump on Twitter, posted a photo with her family in church near a Christmas tree. “Merry Christmas! Wishing you many blessings today and all year,” she said on Twitter.

This past week, Merry Christmas messages poured in from Democrats, despite some Republicans’ complaints about a “war on Christmas”.

Chief among those Republicans in 2017 is the president, who on Christmas Eve credited himself for an uptick in people saying Merry Christmas, though any such increase is extremely difficult to prove.

“People are proud to be saying Merry Christmas again,” Trump tweeted on Sunday night. “I am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!”

Trump is in Florida at his private club Mar-a-Lago for the holiday. His wife Melania and son Barron arrived at the Palm Beach estate last week. The White House has not said which of his family members will be at Mar-a-Lago for Christmas, but photographs showed his daughter, Tiffany Trump, in Florida on Friday and his son, Donald Trump Jr, posted social media photos of his children with their grandfather on Christmas Eve.

In the days leading up to Christmas and the New Year, some of Trump’s biggest critics sent messages of hope about the New Year including California senator Kamala Harris.

“Regardless of who’s at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, California will continue to lead the charge to protect our environment and save our planet for future generations,” Harris tweeted on Christmas Eve.

Connecticut senator Chris Murphy also directed a special Christmas message to Trump, on 23 December. “What is Donald Trump getting for Christmas? An $11 million tax cut thanks to the #GOPTaxScam,” Murphy tweeted.

On Christmas, he was more subdued, writing: “Merry Christmas from the Murphy family! Wishing you a holiday filled with joy, cheer and an extra large mug of hot chocolate. However you celebrate, I hope you’re enjoying a day with loved ones.”

On Christmas morning, Trump tweeted a video message from him and the first lady which featured video clips of the White House’s resplendent Christmas decorations.

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! pic.twitter.com/mYtV5GNdLl

He said: “In this season of joy, we spend time with our families, we renew our bonds of love and goodwill between our citizens and, most importantly, we celebrate the miracle of Christmas.”