A Republican lawmaker has raised eyebrows after posting AI-generated images of him beating up Santa Claus on Christmas Day.
Indiana state Senator Chris Garten’s post on the morning of December 25, where he was pictured body slamming Santa in front of the state capitol building, did not go down well with his followers on social media.
“When you find out the North Pole is trying to get more bureaucratic reach and unfunded mandates down the chimney disguised as ‘Christmas cheer.’ Not on my watch,” the Republican posted on his X account Thursday morning.
“We The People run Indiana, not the bureaucrats,” he added. “Take it back to the big North Pole.”
In one of the AI-generated images, Garten threw Santa down the steps of the state capitol building, while in another, he raised his fist above St. Nick’s head as he was pinned to the ground.
Indiana Republican state Sen. Chris Garten faced backlash for posting AI-generated images on Christmas Day of himself beating up Santa Claus (@Sen_ChrisGarten/X)
The comments below the post were very disapproving.
“This might be the saddest thing I’ve seen this Xmas. Congratulations,” one person reacted on X.
“Ah, yes, the left is the party of violence. *body slams Santa Claus *,” said another.
“What makes a person post images of themselves beating up a universally loved figure?” someone else came in.
“So it warms me to see the symbol of Christmas generosity and joy being beaten to a bloody pulp!” another person wrote.
In another picture, Garten kicks Santa on the steps of the state capitol building, as a crowd holding campaign-style signs cheers him on. (@Sen_ChrisGarten/X)
Garten was seen hugging Santa in the AI-generated images in front of the state capitol building, which didn’t go down well with his social media followers (@Sen_ChrisGarten/X)
“With everything going on in the world, I struggle to understand why my obviously funny post is considered news,” Garten said. the Independent. “The fake outrage online is a stark reminder of how society has become overly sensitive, and perhaps some self-reflection is in order,” he added.
A few hours after posting, Garten acknowledged the backlash in a follow-up message where he labeled his critics “snowflakes”.
“A lot of intolerance, swearing, and outrage on display over a few AI photos I had a blast drawing with my kids,” Garten said. “Some of you clowns are just insufferable. Hopefully your negativity stays in the comments and not directed at your families.”
“Merry Christmas, snowflakes!” he added.
Other notable festive messages from Republicans featured one from President Donald Trump, who shared a quirky Social Truth post on Christmas Day about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whose case continues to plague the administration.
The president said in a Christmas message that he cut ties with the late sex offender “long before it became fashionable,” and that the controversy over the release of the Epstein files is a “Radical Left Witch Hunt.”