On the Fourth of July, Donald Trump took to social media to wish everyone a happy holiday, but quickly shifted gears to criticize President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and special counsel Jack Smith. Trump called Biden “highly incapable” and mocked his performance in a recent debate, referring to him as “Laffin’ Kamala Harris” and taunting Harris for dropping out of the 2020 presidential race early. The former president also referred to Smith as “deranged” and criticized him for prosecuting Trump in various cases.
Trump has a history of using holidays as opportunities to attack his political opponents, including sending all-caps Father’s Day messages and calling judges in his legal cases “human scum” in his Memorial Day message. For Christmas, he told his critics to “ROT IN HELL.” This latest message drew criticism from many, with some calling it disgraceful for a former president to engage in such behavior on a day meant for celebration. Others pointed out that Trump’s attacks may actually galvanize support for Harris and serve to unify Democrats against him.
The reactions to Trump’s message were mixed, with some expressing dismay at his continued divisive rhetoric and others pointing out his perceived cognitive decline. Regardless, Trump’s habit of using holidays as opportunities to launch attacks on his opponents has become a hallmark of his social media presence. This latest message on the Fourth of July serves as another example of his willingness to eschew traditional holiday sentiments in favor of engaging in political sparring.
Critics of Trump pointed out that his behavior was unbecoming of a former president and tarnished the spirit of the holiday. They also noted that Trump’s attacks on Harris and Biden may ultimately serve to strengthen support for the vice president and the current administration. Trump’s penchant for inflammatory language and personal attacks has fueled division and discord in the political landscape, with his ability to provoke strong reactions from both supporters and detractors remaining a defining feature of his public persona.
As Trump continues to use social media platforms to communicate with his followers and critics, his messaging will likely continue to spark controversy and debate. The former president’s willingness to eschew traditional holiday greetings in favor of launching political attacks underscores his combative approach to public discourse. Despite the criticisms and backlash he receives, Trump appears undeterred in his efforts to maintain a strong presence in the political arena and shape public opinion through his provocative statements and actions.
