‘So gross’: White House shares bizarre Trump holiday picture, and what they call him in the headline has everyone cringing

The White House stirred up a wave of online chatter on Wednesday with a holiday-themed post featuring President Trump – and not all of it was positive. Critics were immediately unsettled by the accompanying headline, which many found awkward and off-putting.

According to HuffPost, the image showed Trump giving a thumbs-up while sporting a festive Santa hat. The White House shared the post on X. The caption read “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!” while the headline boldly declared, “Daddy’s Home.”

Reactions to the post were sharply divided. Trump supporters embraced the festive display, liking and sharing the post widely across social media. But many others were less impressed, describing it as “so gross” and saying the overall vibe felt uncomfortably awkward. The post quickly became a talking point, highlighting just how polarizing the former president continues to be, even in a seemingly lighthearted holiday moment.

Republicans keep using this uncomfortable nickname for Trump

This isn’t the first time the White House has used this nickname. Back in June, they shared a video of Trump at the NATO summit set to Usher’s song Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home). Using that song showed this wasn’t just a random mistake.

Some elected officials have also called Trump by this nickname in public. Representatives Lauren Boebert and Byron Donalds have both used the same term. While holiday posts usually bring families together, this one sparked division instead, unlike tragic holiday incidents that unite communities.

When members of Congress adopt this kind of language, it signals that it’s a deliberate choice, not a slip of the tongue. The recent holiday post is just the latest instance of conservatives referring to the president as “daddy,” a term that has become increasingly common in certain circles.

It’s clear the White House crafted this messaging to resonate with Trump’s core supporters, appealing directly to his base with playful, familiar language. But some viewed it as inappropriate or off-putting.

It also led to some incredible memes:

For critics, the headline is another example of awkward political communication that misses the mark. The post split the internet right down the middle, with supporters embracing it and critics mocking it. Holiday gatherings already bring enough controversy without adding political messaging, as shown by a Texas couple’s disappearance during holidays.

It’s an intense way to promote the president’s return for the holidays, and it’s hard to imagine other politicians having their teams use this kind of language.