Donald Trump

In this Dec. 1, 2016, photo, President-elect Donald Trump smiles as he speaks during the first stop of his post-election tour in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

President-elect Donald Trump's incoming chief of staff stirred controversy on social media on Sunday after critics interpreted his Christmas message mentioning "the new king" as a comparison between Jesus and Trump.

"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," read a statement from Priebus and Republican National Committee co-chair Sharon Day. "We hope Americans celebrating Christmas today will enjoy a day of festivities and a renewed closeness with family and friends."

The statement drew outrage on social media by those who interpreted "the new king" as being Trump.

So the RNC thinks Trump is our New King? Coming again as Jesus did? This is getting really spooking. What kind of Kool-Aid is that? https://t.co/9Mf5zEA89G — Paul Ybarra (@ybarrap) December 25, 2016

The distinction between a president and a king is not trivial https://t.co/8At2sHon1E — Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) December 25, 2016

But Republicans, including RNC spokesman and incoming Trump press secretary Sean Spicer said the phrase was only a reference to Jesus, not the president-elect. He added that it was "frankly offensive" that Buzzfeed, which first reported on Priebus' words, asked him whether Priebus was referring to both Trump and Jesus.