Donald Trump’s late-night Thanksgiving message took an unexpected and explosive turn, leaving many Americans — including some supporters — stunned. What began as a standard holiday greeting on Truth Social quickly shifted into a harsh political tirade, fueled by renewed debate over immigration after two National Guard members were shot near the White House. Trump used the moment to call for a “permanent pause” on immigration from “Third World countries” and sharply attacked several Democratic leaders.

The timing drew attention because officials identified the suspected shooter as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in 2021 and was later hospitalized after being shot by law enforcement. Trump blamed current immigration policies for the attack and vowed to reverse recent admissions and impose stricter rules. However, CNN reported that Lakanwal’s asylum claim was actually approved by Trump’s own administration in April 2025 — contradicting Trump’s criticism. When questioned, Trump dismissed the reporter as “stupid.”

Trump’s message escalated further as he used a derogatory slur to describe Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and made inflammatory remarks about Representative Ilhan Omar’s background and faith. Walz responded pointedly on social media: “Release the MRI results.” The aggressive tone of Trump’s post — especially on Thanksgiving — drew widespread backlash, with critics calling it divisive and misleading, and supporters insisting he was addressing national security concerns head-on.

With immigration once again dominating political conversation and details of the D.C. shooting still unfolding, Trump’s message has become one of the most debated moments of the holiday. The fallout highlights how deeply polarized the national climate remains — and how even a holiday greeting can ignite controversy when delivered by Donald Trump.