Thanksgiving is often seen as a time for family, gratitude, and feasting. But this year, the holiday brought with it a fair share of political commentary and reactions on social media, particularly revolving around newly elected officials and their rather unconventional ways of celebrating. From Vice President-elect JD Vance's eyebrow-raising social media post to Donald Trump's peculiar Thanksgiving spoof, the lens of political satire shone brightly this holiday season.
JD Vance, still the sitting U.S. Senator from Ohio, made waves by sharing an edited version of Norman Rockwell's classic 1943 painting "Freedom From Want,” which traditionally depicts family warmth during Thanksgiving. Vance's twist on the image portrayed him as the woman serving Thanksgiving dinner, with Donald Trump as the patriarch overseeing the scene, and the turkey was substituted with a glossy electoral map of the U.S. colored red, showcasing Trump's 312 Electoral College votes from the recent election. Within moments, social media was ablaze with commentary.
The post was devoid of any words, with the imagery speaking for itself—yet it spoke volumes. It sparked mixed reactions across social media. Some were bewildered by Vance’s apparent eagerness to play such a submissive role, reflecting the broader narrative surrounding Trump’s influence and his administration’s dynamics. One Twitter user lamented, “Everything about this is just WEIRD!” eliciting both laughter and incredulity among followers. Media personalities chimed in, including film executive Franklin Leonard who expressed, “I’ve seen a lot of embarrassing behavior on this app, but I have never seen anything quite like this.”
Not long after, Donald Trump himself shared his own peculiar take on the Thanksgiving holiday by posting a video clip where he comically appeared to burst out of a Thanksgiving turkey being carved by President Joe Biden. Styled after the famous scene from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Trump electrified his supporters with the footage, which along with his jovial dancing to The Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” went viral, gaining over 34 million views across various social media platforms.
While some ardently supported Trump's crude sense of humor, critics were quick to question whether he understood the ironic suggestion of him being the main course of the Thanksgiving dinner, taking it as both amusing and troubling. For many, this kind of humor overshadowed the spirit of the holiday and was deemed as sensationalism by some, leading to platforms rife with doubt about the seriousness of his presidential responsibilities.
Martina Navratilova, the renowned former tennis champion, reserved her own scathing criticism for Trump, describing him as “an embarrassment to the whole world.” After Trump's Thanksgiving message included barbs against “radical left lunatics,” Navratilova wasted no time calling out his divisive rhetoric. Her strong stance on Trump's dialogue reflected the sentiments of many who were frustrated by the continued attack on political opponents instead of fostering goodwill during the holiday season.
Interestingly enough, there was discussion among certain social media circles about how this Thanksgiving display would play out for Vance and Trump’s political aspirations moving forward. Commentators speculated if such attempts at comedic outreach are strategically made to bolster their images for future campaigns, especially as both seem eager to maintain their base support. Some analysts suggested Vance's meme could be interpreted as trying to curry favor with Trump’s camp, especially considering Trump's current friendships with high-profile figures like Elon Musk. Such actions could potentially reshape perceptions and influence both individual political trajectories.
Critics and supporters alike addressed how public figures forgoing decorum to embrace silly theatrics might shape the political discourse, making it less about serious policies and state governance and more about personality and image. With the internet’s penchant for sharing such posts, both Vance and Trump may see this as acceptable behavior, rather than their critics' view of it as merely trivial nonsense.
This year’s Thanksgiving displayed two key elements: the quirks of political media portrayals and the societal responses they provoke. Where once there may have been more subdued, traditional celebrations, we instead witnessed the enduring and often absurdity of political life vying for relevance during American holidays. While some find laughter and humor amid chaos, others raise eyebrows at the gravitas—or norm—that has been lost as political figures continue to navigate this new media environment. Regardless of partisan allegiance, it’s clear Thanksgiving 2024 will be one for the books when evaluating how social media and politics intertwine on even the most festive occasions.
