MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Modern politics has entered an era where public officials often resemble social media influencers or reality television characters more than serious lawmakers. The latest example comes courtesy of Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who faced widespread ridicule after posting—and then deleting—a bizarre holiday-themed post on X, formerly Twitter, that read: “Thanks to Donald Trump, Christmas is back in America.”
The post, which critics and commentators quickly labeled as absurd, sparked a flood of mockery online, with many pointing out that Christmas, one of the most enduring traditions in American life, has never been “gone.” The comment seemed to echo long-debunked narratives about a so-called “War on Christmas,” a cultural wedge issue frequently amplified by Fox News and other right-wing outlets.
For Tuberville, a former football coach turned senator, the incident is part of a pattern. His social media activity often leans heavily into partisan culture-war rhetoric, with posts about perceived threats to American traditions or values. Yet, critics argue that these messages cater to the lowest common denominator, presenting simplistic, hyperbolic ideas rather than addressing substantive policy issues.
Tuberville’s social media feels like it’s aimed at stoking outrage and getting likes, not at governing. It’s reflective of a larger trend where some politicians seem more focused on performance and propaganda than the actual hard work of legislating.
Tuberville’s critics say his tweet about Christmas exemplifies how unserious politics has become, particularly in the era of social media. Politicians increasingly use platforms like X to post inflammatory, meme-worthy content aimed at energizing their political bases. The result, observers say, is a political discourse that feels more like a high school popularity contest than a serious effort to solve the nation’s problems.
For Tuberville, the fallout from the Christmas post was immediate. Users on X mocked the senator for what many saw as an outlandish and pandering statement. Others highlighted how the senator’s social media antics often overshadow his controversial policy positions, including his months-long blockade of military promotions in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy.
This episode comes at a time when Alabama is facing significant challenges, including a struggling healthcare system, underfunded schools, and deteriorating infrastructure. Critics argue that Tuberville’s focus on partisan theatrics is a disservice to his constituents.
The larger issue, however, is not just Tuberville. Political figures from both parties increasingly rely on attention-grabbing social media posts to shape their public personas. The emphasis on likes, shares, and viral moments has turned social media into a stage for politicians to perform rather than a space to communicate serious ideas or solutions.
For Tuberville, the Christmas tweet may be a minor misstep, but it serves as a revealing glimpse into the broader dysfunction of modern political culture.