Stephen Miller, a former senior White House adviser to Donald Trump, has faced a fierce online backlash after making inflammatory comments about immigration in a social media post about a festive family viewing.
Festive Viewing Sparks Controversial Comment
Miller took to X, formerly Twitter, to state he had watched the classic 1967 holiday special 'A Family Christmas' featuring Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra with his children. However, he used the occasion to launch a political attack, writing: 'Imagine watching that and thinking America needed infinity migrants from the third world.'
The post, which connected a beloved cultural artefact to Miller's well-known hardline stance on immigration, was swiftly condemned by other users on the platform.
Critics School Miller on Show's Immigrant Heritage
Commentator Richard Hanania responded pointedly, asking Miller: 'Do you spend a single waking moment not seething over how much you hate immigrants?' Another user, Rick G. Rosner, told him to 'Enjoy your racism grift while it lasts.'
The most substantive rebuttals came from those highlighting the immigrant backgrounds of the show's stars. Sarah Longwell, founder of the anti-Trump conservative publication The Bulwark, provided a detailed correction.
Longwell noted that Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, was the son of Italian immigrants, with his heritage deeply influencing him. She added that he overcame struggles through hard work to become a beloved American icon.
She offered a similar lesson on Frank Sinatra, writing that he was a proud first-generation Italian-American, born in Hoboken, New Jersey to parents from Sicily and Liguria. His journey, she stated, reflected classic immigrant struggles and triumphs before he too became a quintessential American icon.
Historical Context and Lasting Backlash
The parody account @AwesomeNewsom, styled after California Governor Gavin Newsom, chimed in: 'imagine watching a Christmas special by two American icons who are children of immigrants, and still finding a way to be Adolf Dracula about it.'
While Italian immigrants might not be classified as 'third world' by contemporary standards, they faced significant discrimination upon arrival in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
They were often portrayed as uneducated or linked to criminal activity, faced prejudice in hiring, and experienced hostility from nativist groups. Despite these challenges, Italian-Americans built strong communities and made profound contributions to national culture, with figures like Sinatra and Martin achieving iconic status.
The special Miller referenced, 'A Family Christmas', aired in 1967 and featured Sinatra, Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bing Crosby performing timeless songs like 'Silent Night'. It epitomised the smooth Rat Pack era crooner style and remains a holiday favourite.
As of Friday evening, Miller had not publicly responded to the criticism his post generated across social media platforms.
