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Joe Biden and President Donald Trump delivered starkly different Christmas messages Friday, with the president-elect emphasizing in a video the pain the Covid pandemic has wrought and reminding Americans of “our common humanity,” while Trump made only the faintest reference to it.
“Jill and I wish you and your family peace, joy, health and happiness this season. But we know for so many of you in our nation this has been a very difficult year,” Biden said in a video message recorded with his wife. “And we’re reminded in this season of hope, our common humanity, and what we’re called to do for one another.”
“Many of our fellow Americans are struggling to find work, literally put food on the table, pay their rent or their mortgage, reminded we’re on this earth to care for one another, to give what we can and to be a source of help and hope to friends and strangers alike,” Biden added.
He also emphasized how he and Jill wouldn’t be seeing extended family this year, to honor the public health guidelines due to Covid.
“For the Bidens, we usually have 20 to 25 people over Christmas Eve for dinner, but not this year,” the president-elect said. “We’re going to miss our family, but it’s what we need to do to keep our families safe. We hope you’ll consider limiting travel in the size of family gatherings as well this year.”
Nearly 330,000 Americans have died from Covid, with there being more than 18.7 million confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S.
Trump, meanwhile, issued a formal White House statement that didn’t specifically mention the pandemic.
His only acknowledgement was that “our gatherings might look different than in past years.”
Instead, he sent “warmest wishes” from himself and first lady Melania Trump “to all Americans as we celebrate Christmas.”
“While our gatherings might look different than in years past, this Christmas, like every Christmas, is an opportunity for us to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and show our heartfelt gratitude for the abundant blessings God has bestowed upon our lives and country,” the Trumps’ message said. “In this season of peace, we cherish the warmth, generosity, and faith that breathe life into our holiday gatherings. The love we share with our family and friends fills our hearts with joy, just as the story of Christ’s birth inspires people all over the world.”
Trump also offered his thanks to military families, first responders, law enforcement officers, and frontline medical professionals who “work tirelessly to serve and protect our communities.”
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