The social media outburst by Trump on Christmas Day is unholy and offensive to Democratic strategist Paul Begala.
The former president, defending against two criminal fronts brought by special counsel Jack Smith, leveled harsh sentiments toward him, complicit "World Leaders, both good and bad," and unnamed "THUGS" living stateside.
"Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith, the out of control Lunatic who just hired outside attorneys, fresh from the SWAMP (unprecedented!), to help him with his poorly executed WITCH HUNT against 'TRUMP' and 'MAGA'... MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!"" Trump posted on his Truth Social site on the religious holiday.
Begala, appearing on CNN on Tuesday, was aghast.
"...telling people to rot in hell," he paused. "I'm a Christian. That's blasphemy."
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He then went on to be convinced that this kind of rhetoric on such a special day on the Christian calendar is going to dagger many faith-based leaders of various denominations.
"A lot of people will say, 'This is our holy day,' Begala said. "'Our savior, the light of the world!', 'The prince of peace!' He is using that to [commit] blasphemy? And he's saying 'rot in hell?'"
The strategist said he plans to take inventory of faith-based leaders who come out against this brand of rhetoric.
"I'm going to wait," he said, before admitting "and I'll probably be disappointed."
"I want to see church leaders on this. I want to see my cardinals speak out on this. I want to see my bishops. I want to see evangelical leaders speak out."
"It can have an effect if people of good faith and my faith will stand up and say 'There's nothing Christian about telling people to rot in hell on Christmas Day.'"
Longtime Republican strategist Scott Jennings wasn't as swift with his feeling of the Christmas jeers.
He sees the comments as same old Trump.
"I actually don't think there are that many Republicans on the fence about him," he said. "I don't think there are that many Americans on the fence about him."
"They know who he is, how he acts, what motivates him. They know how he campaigns. They know what issue he cares about and I don't think this is out of character for him."
