David Spade has stirred controversy with his recent remarks on the cultural perception of Christmas during an episode of the Fly on the Wall podcast. Spade, echoing familiar “War on Christmas” sentiments, claimed that Christmas is “taking a little bit of a beating lately,” seemingly oblivious to the festive atmosphere prevalent in many shopping venues this season.
Spade recounted an experience at a mall’s tree lighting ceremony, where he alleged that the word “Christmas” was avoided throughout the event. He posed a rhetorical question, sarcastically asking, “Then what is the tree for? A ‘December to Remember?’ Is it a Lexus dealership?” This dismissive tone aligned him with a long-standing narrative suggesting that Christmas is under siege by political correctness.
Co-host Dana Carvey echoed Spade’s sentiments, stating that he has never encountered individuals from other religions who are offended by Christmas trees, suggesting a need to address what he termed “bullshit.” He expressed a dislike for what he perceives as an anti-Christian atmosphere in society today.
Fox News quickly seized upon Spade’s comments, celebrating the opportunity to promote their narrative of a supposed liberal threat to Christmas traditions. The channel is well-known for spotlighting such controversies, framing them as evidence of a broader “war” against the holiday.
The story also gained traction with right-wing outlets like Breitbart and The New York Post, but many, including these publications, failed to pinpoint the specific mall Spade referenced. However, it appears that Spade may have confused the incident with a recent tree lighting ceremony in Portland, Oregon, at Pioneer Courthouse Square. During this event, which was branded a “holiday tree,” festive traditions persisted, including caroling and a performance of Mariah Carey’s popular Christmas song, along with the appearance of Santa Claus.
This instance highlights how perceptions around Christmas may often be exaggerated or misrepresented, and that various celebrations can coexist without necessarily diminishing any religious significance. Ultimately, as the holiday season unfolds, the presence of Christmas, both in its cultural and commercial forms, remains vibrant and celebrated across many communities.