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Donald Trump has posted his traditional rambling Christmas message calling out various foes, taunting adversaries, reiterating his desire for U.S. territorial expansionism — retaking the Panama Canal, incorporating Canada into the union, and buying Greenland.
A Danish official said an announcement that the country is boosting defense spending for Greenland, was an “irony of fate.”
Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish defense minister, told the paper Jyllands-Posten Tuesday that the country plans to spend a “double-digit billion amount” in krone — about $1.5 billion — to make sure they have a “stronger presence” in the Arctic.
Trump said the “ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for the U.S., which operates a base in the territory’s northwest.
After seemingly joking about Canada becoming the “51st” state, the incoming president fired off ominous messages alleging the Panama Canal and Greenland pose serious economic and national security threats to the United States and might be targeted for some kind of annexation or purchase.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is reeling after an ethics committee report into former congressman Matt Gaetz “determined there is substantial evidence” that he paid tens of thousands of dollars for sex and used illicit drugs while he was a member of Congress.
Lawmakers react to Trump’s ‘unprecedented’ involvement ahead of inauguration
“It’s clear he’s in charge now,” Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska told the outlet, remarking on Trump’s influence over the chaotic spending bill when the government was just a few hours from a shutdown.
Rhian Lubin reports.
World leaders share Christmas messages
Archie Mitchell reports.
Trump aims dig at Obama in bizarre hour-long Christmas Day Truth Social posting spree
The president-elect initially seemed to adopt a toned-down festive message, simply posting, “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!” on Truth Social on Wednesday morning.
In the afternoon, however, he shared a lengthy post where he wished “Merry Christmas to the Radical Left Lunatics,” but refused the same sentiment to the “37 most violent criminals” pardoned by Joe Biden, instead telling them to “GO TO HELL.”
Rhian Lubin has the story.
Biden signs 50 bills into law on Christmas Eve
Gustaf Kilander reports.
GOP senator mocked for claiming Trump has brought Christmas ‘back in America’
Rhian Lubin reports.
Trump trolls Canada in Christmas message by claiming ex-hockey star Wayne Gretzky should be PM – or governor
“I just left Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Great One’ as he is known in Ice Hockey circles,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Christmas Day. “I said, ‘Wayne, why don’t you run for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as the Governor of Canada – You would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign.’”
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Biden marks Hanukkah
Trump’s net worth rose by billions this year despite legal challenges and wild stock market. Here’s what it is now.
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Trump aims dig at Obama in bizarre hour-long Christmas Day Truth Social posting spree
The president-elect toned down his festive message this year, simply posting, “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!” on Truth Social on Wednesday morning.
The meme featured a photo of the president-elect smirking at Obama during his 2017 inauguration, along with the caption: “When you see the guy who said ‘you’ll never be president’ at your inauguration.”
Read more:
Canal threats, money-laundering claims and a hotel battle: Trump’s long, weird history with Panama
In a series of posts on Truth Social, the president-elect accused the country of “ripping off” the US.
“Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way,” Trump wrote. “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US.”
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Source: independent.co.uk
