memeorandum: Social media erupts over GOP statement about ‘new King’ (Rebecca Savransky/The Hill)

10:35 PM ET, December 25, 2016

Top Items:

RNC Message Celebrating Christmas — WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chair Sharon Day released the following statement celebrating Christmas: — “Merry Christmas to all! Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world …

Discussion: Raw Story, Hullabaloo, alan.com, CNBC, AOL, Jezebel, CNN, Independent Journal Review and Mediaite

Rebecca Savransky / The Hill:

Social media erupts over GOP statement about ‘new King’ — A Christmas statement released Sunday by the Republican National Committee (RNC) drew outrage among opponents on Twitter who objected to talk of a “new King.” — “Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world …

Discussion: Politico and RedState

Tom Boggioni / Raw Story:

Internet ridicules Trump's narcissistic Christmas tweet: ‘No family, no warmth, just a tiny fist and a tree’ — President-elect Donald Trump extended Merry Christmas wishes to his Twitter followers on Sunday morning — with a proper Christmas tree emoji — only to have detractors notice it wasn't the warmest of greetings.

Discussion: alan.com

David Mack / BuzzFeed:

People Are Arguing About Whether Republicans Just Compared Trump To Jesus — On Sunday, Republican National Committee chairman (and incoming White House chief of staff) Reince Priebus released a message to celebrate Christmas. — You can read the full statement here …

BBC:

Ex-Wham singer George Michael dies — The star, who launched his career with Wham in the 1980s and later continued his success as a solo performer, is said to have “passed away peacefully at home”. — Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service attended a property in Goring in Oxfordshire at 13:42 GMT.

Discussion: The Guardian, The Gateway Pundit, The Verge, Los Angeles Times, Independent Journal Review, Mediaite, Mother Jones, Mashable, NPR, The Week, WREG-TV, Refinery29 and New York's PIX11

Alex Matthews / Daily Mail:

BREAKING NEWS: George Michael dies peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire on Christmas Day, aged 53 — Wham! singer, 53, died at his home in Goring, Oxfordshire this afternoon, his publicist announced — Elton John has led the tributes to the star on social media and called him the ‘kindest, most generous soul’

Discussion: Jezebel

Alex Isenstadt / Politico:

Trump pick backs out of White House job after affair allegations — Donald Trump's newly tapped White House communications director, Jason Miller, backed out of the job following claims that he had an affair with another transition official, according to three sources close to the Trump transition.

Discussion: Mediaite, more at Mediagazer »

Sydney Ember / New York Times:

Changes Coming to White House Press Room: Who, Where, When and How — With the naming of Sean Spicer as White House press secretary, Donald J. Trump has selected a Republican Party insider and communications veteran. — But that doesn't mean it will be business as usual for the press corps that covers the next administration.

Alex Griswold / Mediaite:
Trump Advisor A.J. Delgado Hints at Comms Director Jason Miller Sex Scandal, Deletes Twitter Account (UPDATED)

Discussion: Daily Mail, Washington Post, RedState and Politico, more at Mediagazer »

Rich Schapiro / New York Daily News:
Jason Miller quits as newly named White House communications director after Trump staffer hints at sex scandal

Discussion: Mediaite, Raw Story and Little Green Footballs

Mike Hayes / BuzzFeed:

The Obamas Successfully Beat A Live Action Escape Game On Vacation — Sounds like Malia was the MVP and they broke out with 12 seconds to spare. — President Obama and his daughters showed up unannounced at Breakout Waikiki, a live action escape room site, during their Hawaii vacation …

Discussion: KHON2, Independent Journal Review and AOL

Sarah D / Los Angeles Times:

After 24 years working together, Feinstein and Boxer say goodbye to their ‘Thelma and Louise’ partnership — Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, right, in the Capitol in 2011. (Bill Clark / Roll Call Photos) — In 1992, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer pitched themselves …

BBC:

Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea, killing 92 — A Russian military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea, Russia's defence ministry says. — The plane disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from Sochi at 05:25 (02:25 GMT), heading for Latakia in Syria.

Discussion: RT, NPR and Balloon Juice

Reuters:
All 92 on Syria-bound Russian military jet killed in crash, including 60 from Red Army Choir

Discussion: CNN, Gizmodo, The Daily Caller and The Gateway Pundit

Philip Rucker / Washington Post:

Trump to inherit more than 100 court vacancies, plans to reshape judiciary — Donald Trump is set to inherit an uncommon number of vacancies in the federal courts in addition to the open Supreme Court seat, giving the president-elect a monumental opportunity to reshape the judiciary after taking office.

Jonathan D. Epstein / The Buffalo News:

Paladino's son rejects father's controversial comments — Even Carl Paladino's son wants to distance himself from the former New York Republican gubernatorial candidate's latest controversial remarks about President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. — In what appears to be a family split …

Discussion: 6

CNN:

Israel summons US ambassador as Netanyahu hits out at Obama — Jerusalem (CNN)Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned the US ambassador and launched a scathing attack Sunday on the Obama administration after its refusal to veto a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel's settlements in the West Bank.