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Miriam Valverde
By Miriam Valverde December 4, 2018
Back to Won't say 'Happy Holidays'

Donald Trump’s 2018 official card says "Merry Christmas"

The First Family's holiday card is seen behind glass in Booksellers during the 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The First Family's holiday card is seen behind glass in Booksellers during the 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The First Family's holiday card is seen behind glass in Booksellers during the 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

For the second year in a row, the official White House greeting card for the end of the year celebrations wishes Americans a "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," said the official 2018 White House card, signed by President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and their son, Barron Trump.

The card's message is in line with Trump's campaign promise to depart from the broad "Happy Holidays" wish and focus on the Christian-oriented expression "Merry Christmas."

Trump also refrained from using the "Happy Holidays" phrase during the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 28.

"On behalf of Melania and myself and the entire Trump family — many of whom are with us tonight — I want to again wish you all a very, very Merry Christmas," Trump said. "May this Christmas season bring peace to your hearts, warmth to your homes, cheer to your spirit, and joy to the world.  Merry Christmas, everyone. Merry Christmas and God bless you."

We did not find "Happy Holidays" mentions on Trump's Twitter feed since taking office. He only used the term "holidays" in a Dec. 21, 2017 tweet about a potential government shutdown, then claiming: "House Democrats want a SHUTDOWN for the holidays in order to distract from the very popular, just passed, Tax Cuts."

PolitiFact also did not find a reference to the phrase on the White House website. First lady Melania Trump came close in a Nov. 26, 2018, tweet with a video of White House Christmas decorations and the text, "The People's House @WhiteHouse is ready to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season!"

Trump as a candidate said, "We're going to be saying Merry Christmas at every store. You can leave (happy holidays) at the corner." Retailers continue to use the phrase "Happy Holidays," but so far, Trump as president has stayed away from using the term.

We will continue to monitor this promise over the coming years. For now, we rate this Promise Kept.

Our Sources