With the holiday season upon us, one would hope to see a sprinkle of Christmas cheer from the highest office in the land. Yet, the current occupant of the Oval Office, President Donald Trump, seems to embody a spirit far removed from the festive generosity and goodwill that Christmas epitomizes. In fact, comparing him to Ebenezer Scrooge might be too kind.

Traditionally, Christmas is a time to echo the charitable and welcoming nature of figures such as Jesus Christ, who advocated for kindness towards strangers and the less fortunate. Yet, the policies and demeanor exhibited by Trump could be seen as directly opposed to such ideals. His harsh immigration policies, which have been criticized for their dehumanizing nature, stand in stark contrast to the biblical calls for kindness and acceptance.

Moreover, Christmas is often associated with generosity, a trait that is celebrated through the transformation of Scrooge after his ghostly visits. This, however, is not mirrored in Trump's administration, which has made significant cuts to USAID. These cuts have reportedly led to devastating consequences, including preventable deaths from infectious diseases and malnutrition, predominantly affecting children.

Financially, while the average American taxpayer contributed merely 17 cents per day towards USAID, the cessation of this funding has not reined in government spending, as national debt continues to escalate. Instead, funds seem to be funneled towards less altruistic endeavors, including alleged bribes from foreign entities and dubious financial gains from cryptocurrency deals linked to the Trump family.

The commercialization of Christmas under Trump's watch also sees a stark contradiction in the symbolism of the season. While he makes gestures towards Christianity by erecting Christmas trees at the White House, these actions are overshadowed by his commercial exploitation of the holiday, including selling signed Bibles and pardons, which casts a commercial pall over what should be a season of genuine goodwill.

The recent response by Trump to the tragic murder of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife further exemplifies a lack of basic human empathy and respect, qualities much needed in any leader during the Christmas season and beyond.

In essence, Trump’s approach to Christmas and his governing style could make one long for the simplicity of a Scrooge administration, where at least there's hope for redemption with the visit of three spirits. As we navigate this holiday season, it may be wise to seek comfort in personal connections and community spirit, finding the essence of Christmas where we can, in spite of the un-Christmassy atmosphere emanating from the Oval Office.