Have you ever watched a political holiday message and just cringed so hard you had to pause the video? That’s pretty much what happened across social media recently when a high-profile state leader posted a greeting for a lesser-known celebration. It wasn’t the warmth of the season that stood out—it was the sheer awkwardness of it all.
In late December 2025, right after Christmas, California’s governor shared a short clip on his official account featuring himself and his wife delivering well-rehearsed wishes for Kwanzaa. They talked about lighting the kinara and highlighted principles like community, purpose, and unity. On paper, it sounds harmless enough, right? But the delivery felt so staged that it immediately sparked a wave of mockery and criticism online.
I’ve seen my share of political videos over the years, and this one hit different. It wasn’t angry or divisive—it was just… off. Like something cooked up in a focus group to check a box. And judging by the thousands of replies pouring in, I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.
The Video That Launched a Thousand Memes
The clip itself is straightforward. The couple sits in what looks like a nicely decorated room, speaking directly to the camera with practiced smiles. “As families come together to light the kinara,” the governor says, “we wish all those celebrating a joyful Kwanzaa.” He then emphasizes how the holiday’s principles could lead to a better future, wrapping up with a cheerful sign-off for the state.
Simple, scripted, and safe. Yet within hours, it became fodder for endless jokes. People pointed out the timing—right on the heels of Christmas greetings—questioning if it felt genuine. Others asked pointed questions like, “What’s your favorite Kwanzaa tradition?” or challenged him to name the seven principles off the cuff.
One comment that stuck with me summed it up: “Do they seem real to you, or like politicians doing what politicians do?” It’s a fair question. In an era where authenticity matters more than ever to voters, these kinds of moments can backfire spectacularly.
Why the Backlash Hit So Hard
Part of the reaction stems from broader frustrations. California has been grappling with big challenges—rising homelessness, crime concerns in some areas, and people leaving the state in notable numbers. When leaders focus on symbolic gestures amid those issues, it can feel tone-deaf to critics.
Then there’s the holiday itself. Kwanzaa isn’t as widely observed as Christmas or Hanukkah. Surveys over the years suggest only a small percentage of Americans participate actively—estimates range from a few hundred thousand to a couple million at most. Even within African American communities, it’s far from universal, with many preferring traditional religious celebrations.
That limited appeal makes public endorsements feel like targeted outreach to a niche group, which some see as calculated rather than heartfelt. In my experience, when politicians wade into cultural holidays that aren’t mainstream, it often invites scrutiny about motives.
This kind of performative stuff just highlights how out of touch some leaders can be.
Online, the responses ranged from sarcastic to outright dismissive. Calls of “cringe” were everywhere, with users sharing memes and old clips to amplify the awkwardness. It wasn’t just partisan sniping either—plenty of everyday folks chimed in, wondering why this merited an official video.
A Quick Look at Kwanzaa’s Origins
To understand the skepticism, it’s worth stepping back and looking at where Kwanzaa came from. It was created in 1966 by activist and scholar Maulana Karenga, drawing inspiration from various African harvest festivals. The idea was to provide a cultural alternative during the holiday season, focusing on principles that promote family, community, and self-improvement.
The seven principles, known as Nguzo Saba, are:
- Unity (Umoja)
- Self-determination (Kujichagulia)
- Collective work and responsibility (Ujima)
- Cooperative economics (Ujamaa)
- Purpose (Nia)
- Creativity (Kuumba)
- Faith (Imani)
Each day of the week-long observance lights a candle on the kinara, building toward a feast and reflection. Symbols like ears of corn represent children and future generations. It’s meant to be secular, so it can complement other holidays.
Over time, Karenga adjusted his views, making it clear Kwanzaa wasn’t meant to replace religious traditions. Still, its invented nature—rather than evolving from ancient customs—leads some to view it as artificial. That’s where much of the “fake holiday” criticism comes from.
Interestingly, participation numbers tell a story. While awareness is higher, actual celebrations remain modest. Some older estimates put worldwide observers in the millions, but U.S. figures are consistently low. Perhaps the most telling aspect is how it’s often promoted more by institutions and public figures than grassroots enthusiasm.
The Darker Side of the Founder’s Past
No discussion of Kwanzaa is complete without addressing its creator’s controversial history. In 1971, Karenga was convicted of felony assault and false imprisonment related to incidents involving members of his organization. He served time before being paroled, and has always maintained the charges were politically motivated.
This chapter casts a long shadow. Critics argue it undermines the holiday’s message of unity and purpose, especially given the serious nature of the crimes. Supporters point out that people can change, and Karenga went on to build an academic career focused on African studies.
Either way, it fuels ongoing debates. When public officials highlight Kwanzaa without context, it opens the door to reminders of this backstory. In this case, several viral posts brought it up directly, calling the endorsement ironic at best.
I’ve found that history matters a lot in how people perceive cultural traditions. A holiday tied to a figure with such baggage will always carry that weight, no matter how positive the intentions behind its principles.
Political Pandering or Inclusive Gesture?
At its core, this incident raises bigger questions about politics and culture. Is extending holiday wishes to minority observances a nice nod to diversity, or does it come across as pandering when the holiday isn’t broadly embraced?
In a diverse state like California, leaders often try to acknowledge various traditions. But timing and tone matter. Coming right after more universal celebrations, this felt to many like an afterthought—or worse, a deliberate signal to a specific demographic.
With rumors swirling about national ambitions, some saw it as auditioning for a broader audience. Others just found it embarrassing. One user quipped that it explained why certain political paths might stay closed.
Stuff like this is why some leaders will never advance further.
A common sentiment online
Personally, I think authenticity is key in public life. Voters can spot rehearsed lines from a mile away, especially in the age of social media where everything gets dissected instantly.
How Social Media Amplified the Awkwardness
The platform formerly known as Twitter lit up fast. Replies poured in mocking the video’s stiffness, questioning sincerity, and dredging up Kwanzaa’s origins. Hashtags weren’t needed—the quotes and shares did the work.
Conservative accounts jumped on it, framing it as peak elitism. But even neutral observers piled on with humor. Memes compared it to bad acting auditions or obligatory corporate diversity training.
What struck me was the speed. Within a day, it had millions of views across reposts. In today’s world, one misstep—or perceived one—can dominate the conversation.
- Comments calling it “fake and forced”
- Challenges to recall personal Kwanzaa stories
- Reminders of the founder’s conviction
- Jokes about swapping outfits from Christmas videos
- Direct ties to broader political frustrations
It wasn’t all negative, of course. Some defended it as inclusive. But they were drowned out by the wave of sarcasm.
Broader Lessons for Public Figures
This whole episode feels like a case study in modern politics. Leaders navigate a minefield of cultural sensitivities, trying to appeal to everyone without alienating anyone. But sometimes, the effort backfires spectacularly.
Maybe the takeaway is simplicity. Stick to universal messages of hope and goodwill without diving into niche territories unless it’s deeply personal. Or at least, make it feel less like a production.
In a polarized time, gestures meant to unite often divide instead. And with cameras rolling everywhere, awkward moments live forever online.
Looking ahead, expect more of these as holidays roll around. Politicians won’t stop the greetings—it’s part of the job. But perhaps they’ll think twice about the script next time.
At the end of the day, most people just want leaders focused on real problems: economy, safety, opportunity. Symbolic videos, no matter how well-intentioned, rarely move the needle on those.
What do you think—harmless tradition or unnecessary optics? These moments keep coming, and they reveal a lot about where we are as a society.
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