David Spade blasts mall for ‘consciously avoiding’ Christmas during tree-lighting

David Spade criticized a mall’s tree lighting ceremony for omitting the word “Christmas.”

On the Sunday episode of Spade and Dana Carvey’s “Fly on the Wall” podcast, the 61-year-old “Grown Up” actor called on organizers of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony to “deliberately” avoid mentioning the Christian holiday during the event.

“I will say that Christmas has taken a bit of a hit lately. It’s December and the other day I saw some stupid mall doing a tree lighting ceremony for a Christmas tree, but it said tree lighting ceremony and they were careful not to say the word Christmas during the whole ceremony,” Spade said, without naming the mall.

“No,” said Carvey, 67.

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“From where?” Spade asked. “So it’s just a tree?” If you go and say, ‘They are lighting the tree,’ I will understand. [a certain mall] or whatever. You go, ‘Okay’.”

“But to consciously avoid this, what use is the tree?” he continued. “A December to remember? A Lexus dealership? Why are we here all month long? Isn’t it for Christmas?”

The “SNL” alums discussed the Christmas holidays on the latest episode of their podcast. (NBCUniversal)

Carvey stated that he and Spade know many people who belong to other religions other than Christianity, and said, “I have never come across anyone who belongs to another religion and gets upset about the Christmas tree.”

“I say stop these bulls…” Spade said.

“Yes, because everyone loves Santa and the tree and the ornaments,” Carvey said.

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“They love everything about it,” Spade said. “Don’t say that word.”

Carvey shared his view that although Christmas remains a religious holiday for Christians, it has become more secular over time, especially in countries such as the United States.

“If you’re a believer, it’s about Christianity,” Carvey said. “But I guess at this point in America it’s just Christmas. It’s a fun holiday.”

However, Carvey noted that he was against restricting expression.

“I don’t like the thought police,” the “Dana Carvey Show” alum said. “I don’t like having words I can’t use.”

The comedian said he “didn’t like the anti-Christian sentiment” around Christmas. (David Spade’s Instagram)

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“I don’t like the feeling of anti-Christianity because that’s not what Christmas was really about for me because I’m Christian,” Spade said.

While Carvey described Spade as a “secular” and “past” Christian, the “Joe Dirt” star said he was “just more spiritual.”

Spade expressed his view that the Christian faith is treated differently than other religions.

“This is where we got the tow truck? You can’t say that about anyone else,” he said.

“We are taking a hit in Africa,” he continued. “It’s not like this year is the year to be a Christian. I’ll tell you that.”

Spade shared his view that Christianity is treated differently than other religions. (David Spade’s Facebook)

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“That’s for sure,” Carvey said. “There’s a lot going on with this.”

“Most of these are difficult,” Spade agreed.

Humanitarian groups are increasingly expressing concern about the persecution of Christians in parts of Africa.

A June 2025 report from International Christian Concern (ICC) documented a “disturbing increase” in violence against Christians, including murders, kidnappings, massacres, and forced displacements, in several African countries, primarily in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Kenya.

President Donald Trump announced in late October that he had designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing widespread killings of Christians in the West African country. Pope Leo XIV, the US State Department and celebrities including Nicki Minaj also condemned the latest massacres in Nigeria.

“This is not the year to be a Christian,” Spade said. (Randy Holmes via Getty Images)

After pointing out Christian persecution in Africa, Spade turned the conversation back to his disdain for Christmas tree lighting.

“We could call it a Christmas tree,” Spade said. “I will still go to these shopping malls. I still don’t want to offend people by saying this. But there are so many things with different religions. You are not allowed to denigrate someone else’s religion.”

Spade’s remarks come after the city of Portland faced criticism for rehosting its annual tree lighting ceremony and disavowing any use of the word “Christmas.”

The event, held on November 28, was decorated with Christmas lights, a traditionally decorated tree and a visit from Santa Claus, but did not make any mention of Christmas.

Organizers instead billed the festival as “Portland’s 41st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,” according to the social media accounts of Pioneer Courthouse Square, where the tree was displayed.

“The Portland Tree is on fire!” stated a caption in an Instagram video shared by a Portland, Oregon Instagram account.

“Portland’s 41st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by SmartPark is tonight!” Another message shared on social media by both the Portland, Oregon government and Pioneer Courthouse Square stated.

Portland, Oregon, recently came under criticism for not mentioning Christmas when promoting its annual Christmas tree lighting in a local square. (Getty Images)

“Santa celebrate the highlight of the Downtown Holiday Season by lighting more than 9,500 colorful LED lights to shine brightly on our City’s 75′ Douglas fir, generously donated by Stimson Lumber for everyone to enjoy. SEE YOU TONIGHT, PORTLAND!” he added.

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Social media commenters said online that the city refused to use the word “Christmas.”

“The City of Portland and local media outlets call it ‘The Tree’ because they so despise Christians like me and most of you that they don’t dare say the word ‘Christmas,'” said independent journalist David Medina. sent to x

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“In Portland, they can’t even call it a Christmas tree. They call it ‘the tree.'” another conservative account Posted to X in response to a video Medina posted.

“They’re trying to take Christmas out of the Christmas tree in Portland. It’s a Christmas tree, always was a Christmas tree, and always will be a Christmas tree. These people, if given the opportunity, will slowly take everything away until there’s nothing left.” media account sent.

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Democratic Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s office also publicly called the event a “Christmas Tree Lighting” in response to Fox News Digital and ignored criticism of the event.

“Mayor Wilson was happy to participate in Portland’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting, along with Christmas carolers and holiday festivities,” Wilson’s office said when asked about the criticisms. he said. “That said, framing it differently feels like a pretty achievable thing.”

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this report.