David Spade criticized a mall’s tree-lighting ceremony for deliberately avoiding the word “Christmas.”
During Sunday’s episode of the “Fly on the Wall” podcast, the 61-year-old comedian said the mall hosting a Christmas tree-lighting event made sure not to mention Christmas at all.
“I will say that Christmas is taking a little bit of a beating lately,” Spade remarked. “It is December and I saw the other day there was a tree-lighting ceremony for the Christmas tree in some dopey mall, but it said tree-lighting ceremony, and they were careful not to say the word Christmas during the whole ceremony.”
He didn’t identify which mall it was, but questioned the decision: “Why? So it’s just a tree? … To consciously avoid that, then what is the tree for? A December to Remember? Is it a Lexus dealership? … Isn’t it for Christmas?”
Co-host Dana Carvey, 67, noted that both he and Spade know many people of different faiths, adding, “I’ve never met someone from another religious faith that was upset about a Christmas tree.”
David Spade doubled down on his criticism of a mall’s tree-lighting ceremony that avoided saying “Christmas.”
“I’d say stop that bulls—,” Spade said.
Co-host Dana Carvey agreed, noting, “Yeah, ’cause everyone loves Santa and the tree and all the trappings.”
“They like everything about it,” Spade added. “Just don’t say the word.”
Carvey then offered his perspective on how the holiday has evolved. While Christmas remains a religious celebration for Christians, he said, it has also taken on a more secular identity in places like the United States.
“If you’re of faith, it’s about Christianity,” Carvey noted. “But I think at this point in America, it’s just Christmas. It’s a fun holiday.”
David Spade called out the organizers of a Christmas-tree lighting ceremony for “consciously” avoiding any mention of the Christian holiday during the event.
Dana Carvey, his co-host, added that he opposed any restriction on speech. “I don’t like the thought police,” he said.
Spade weighed in: “I don’t like the anti-Christian feel… because Christmas, to me, wasn’t really about that — I am Christian.” Though Carvey described Spade as a “secular” or “lapsed” Christian, Spade clarified that he considered himself “just more spiritual.”
Spade then expressed concern that the Christian faith is being treated differently than others: “Like is this where we get the hammer? You can’t say that about anyone else.” He added, “We’re taking a beating down in Africa … It’s like this is not the year to be Christian. I will tell you that.” Carvey agreed: “That’s for sure… There’s a lot of that going on.” Spade nodded: “A lot of that, it’s tough.”
Indeed, humanitarian organizations have increasingly raised alarms about persecution and violence targeting Christians in parts of Africa
David Spade and Dana Carvey recently used their podcast to criticize a mall’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremony for deliberately avoiding the word “Christmas.” Spade argued that such avoidance reflects a broader cultural shift that sidelines the Christian origins of the holiday — calling the move “anti-Christian.”
They then tied this criticism to a much larger and far more serious issue: the increasing persecution of Christians in Africa. According to a June 2025 report by International Christian Concern (ICC), violence against Christians has surged in several African countries, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya — with documented killings, abductions, and mass displacements. Christianos Perseguidos+2Christianos Perseguidos+2
The spotlight on Nigeria intensified when Donald Trump designated it a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious-freedom abuses, citing mass killings of Christians. Christianos Perseguidos+2Catholic News Agency+2 Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has also named Nigeria among nations where Christians face serious persecution. Vanguard News
Returning to the tree-lighting debate, Spade said his faith is “spiritual more than institutional,” but emphasized that Christians deserve to be able to say the word “Christmas” — just as others are free to practise their religion. In his view, avoiding that word while celebrating a symbolic “holiday tree” reflects a broader pattern of erasing — or at least downplaying — Christian identity.
Portland has faced backlash after removing the word “Christmas” from its annual tree-lighting celebration, referring to the display simply as “the tree.”
Spade’s comments followed criticism directed at the city for once again avoiding any mention of Christmas during its holiday event.
The Nov. 28 ceremony featured a fully decorated evergreen, thousands of lights, and even an appearance by Santa Claus — yet organizers avoided calling it a Christmas tree.
Instead, the event was promoted as “Portland’s 41st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,” according to Pioneer Courthouse Square’s social media posts.
“Portland’s tree is lit!” one caption read beneath a video of the celebration on Instagram.
Another promotional message shared by both the City of Portland and Pioneer Courthouse Square stated:
“Portland’s 41st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by SmartPark is tonight! Celebrate the highlight of the Downtown Holiday Season as Santa Claus flips the switch, illuminating more than 9,500 colorful LED lights to shine bright on our city’s 75-foot Douglas fir, generously donated by Stimson Lumber for all to enjoy. SEE YOU TONIGHT, PORTLAND!”
As thousands gathered in Pioneer Courthouse Square for Portland’s 41st annual tree-lighting ceremony Friday night, city leaders and speakers avoided mentioning “Christmas” at any point—even during the event or in its promotional materials.
On social media, many users criticized the omission. “The City of Portland and local media outlets are calling this ‘The Tree’ because they despise Christians like me and many of you so much they can’t bring themselves to say the word ‘Christmas,’” independent journalist David Medina wrote on X. Another account responded to a posted video: “They can’t even say Christmas tree in Portland. They call it ‘the tree.’”
One commenter added: “In Portland they’re trying to take the Christmas out of Christmas tree. It’s a Christmas tree, it’s always been a Christmas tree, and it will always be a Christmas tree. These people will slowly take everything until there’s nothing left if given the opportunity.”
Responding to the backlash, the office of Portland’s mayor Keith Wilson referred to the gathering as a “Christmas Tree Lighting.” “Mayor Wilson was delighted to join Portland’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting alongside Christmas carolers and holiday festivities,” his office said. “That said, framing it otherwise feels like quite the reach.”
(Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this report.)
