Santa Struggles to Remain Jolly on XMAS Eve

His Naughty/Nice List Top-heavy with Naughty

As Santa prepares his final list of who’s been naughty and nice, jolly old Santa is having a tough time maintaining his spirit of Christmas joy. Navigating this year’s political headlines, poor Santa’s list is heavy on the “naughty” side of the ledger.

With nasty rhetoric flowing, conspiracy theories abounding, and even threats to shut down his beloved toy supply chain, Santa is struggling to keep a smile on his face as he gazes down on a highly polarized nation that’s in a gloomy mood. Christmas stockings are full this year for some, but empty for others, as economic fears abound.

Santa also hears rumors that his North Pole abode will soon be renamed “Trump Pole.”

Elves Paint A Disturbing Picture

Here’s what Santa’s elves (and Mr. Gallup) are reporting to him overall in the December 2025 Gallup poll and other polling: most Americans are upset with the economy, higher prices, political gridlock, an ineffective Congress, intense polarization, with approval ratings for the President and major institutions at strikingly low levels.

Political violence and death threats are on the upswing. Hooded ICE agents roam the streets evoking fear, snatching people off the streets without due process. The President has even called for the execution of some members of Congress. The elves reported to Santa that the President of the United States wants American cities to be used as military training grounds.

Not Much Joy of the Season

Here’s a brief polling summary, mostly from Gallup:

· Most Americans (74%) are dissatisfied with the way things are going in this country, with only 24% satisfied.

· Only 36% of Americans approve of Donald Trump’s job performance, including 89% of Republicans, 25% of independents and 3% of Democrats. That’s just barely above his personal low of 34% in January 2021.

· Congress fares even worse, at 17% approval, with 37% of Republicans but only 12% of independents and 6% of Democrats approving of the Republican-led legislative branch.

· Less than half of Democrats (49%) approve of their own party in Congress. By contrast, 69% of Republicans approve of Republicans in their GOP-controlled Congress.

· More than 2 in 3 (68%) say economic conditions are getting worse, compared with 29% who say better.

· Trust in the three branches of the federal government ranges from 32% for the legislative branch to 49% for the judicial branch. But trust is highly partisan and shifts by which party controls government.

· Showing the growing disconnect between Americans and their leaders of major institutions, just three institutions earn majority-level confidence from Americans — small business, the military and science in a Gallup July 2025 poll.

· Three in four Americans (76%) said the future of the nation is a significant source of stress, according to an American Psychological Association poll in August 2025.

· CNN SSRS December polling finds that most Americans don’t think either party’s leaders care about what they have to say. (See chart below)

Tiny Tim Reports to Santa

Santa also heard directly from Dickens’ Tiny Tim, the ailing son of Bob Cratchit, Ebenezer Scrooge’s poor clerk, whose family cannot afford treatment to save his life.

AP-NORC polling finds that Tiny Tim’s plight is widespread. Four in 10 Americans are “extremely” or “very concerned” about not being able to pay for health care or not having health care insurance coverage. Millions fear skyrocketing premiums or fear losing their health insurance all together.

Santa Sees Hope

I asked Santa (with help from AI) what is on his wish list for next year – the 250th anniversary of American independence. Being the eternal optimist, here’s his wish list:

• As America celebrates its anniversary, Santa wants the milestone to be about shared values — liberty, resilience, and generosity — not partisan spectacle.

• He wishes for affordable groceries, housing, and healthcare so families can fill stockings without emptying wallets.

• Santa’s wish is for leaders to treat democracy like his workshop: a shared project, not a snowball fight.

• Santa hopes leaders rebuild credibility by listening more and bickering less.

• And the elves remind me that small acts of kindness — a meal shared, a hand extended — are stronger than any law or policy.

Americans do remain resilient despite all the obstacles. A strong majority of adults (84%) in American Psychological Association polling said they believe they can still create a good life, even if it looks different from past generations.

Here’s a special wish from Santa to all for next year (as recorded by AI):

“Hope shines brighter than hardship, and optimism becomes the gift every family unwraps — a renewed belief that tomorrow can be kinder, fairer, and full of possibility.”

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! And to all, “a good night!”

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