Trump and Fox News invented a 'war on Thanksgiving' and it's already a meme

During a rally in Sunrise, Florida on Tuesday Donald Trump confused many when he declared that there was a "war on Thanksgiving." 

“You know some people want to change the name Thanksgiving,” the president said. “They don’t want to use the term Thanksgiving.” 

He went on to state: “And that was true also with Christmas, but now everybody is using Christmas again. Remember, I said that? But now we’re going to have to do a little work on Thanksgiving. People have different ideas why it shouldn’t be called Thanksgiving, but everybody in this room I know loves the name Thanksgiving and we’re not changing it. ” 

This left people seemingly confused, as no one had heard of the war on Thanksgiving. This included MSNBC reporter Chris Hayes, who tweeted: "This is one he, as far as I can tell, literally just invented today?"

But Andrew Lawrence, Deputy Director of Rapid Response for Media Matters for America, quickly pointed out that the idea originated on Fox News, which President Donald Trump watches regularly. 

Media Matters for America reports that Fox News has been reporting about a "war on Thanksgiving" for weeks now.

Fox News claimed several times that the political left wants to cancel Thanksgiving. The problem? No one seems to be actually calling for Thanksgiving to be canceled. 

Fox News' story seems to have originated from a Huffington Post article by Alexandra Emanuelli that highlights the environmental impact of Thanksgiving. 

The article explains how damaging the holiday can be for the environment and presents some ideas to limit the impact such as minimizing food waste, going meat-free, and buying fresh food locally. 

Emanuelli specifically states that despite the environmental cost, "no one should be discouraged from enjoying the holiday or celebrating with family and friends."

But Fox News now appears to be labeling the article as a "war on Thanksgiving." Mark Steyn stated in one Fox News segment: “At a time when the American family is increasingly atomized, the one time in the year they all get together should be abolished.” 

It's worth noting that Fox News doesn't say the political left are trying to rename Thanksgiving as President Trump suggested, so he seems to have made that one up himself. 

Unsurprisingly, war of Thanksgiving is now trending on Twitter. And there's some pretty good memes out there.

"Our assault on Turkeyville was almost revealed by a traitor in our midst," one user joked. "Lt. Yam has been revealed to be a spy named Sgt. Sweet Potato. The dastardly turncoat has been hanged and battle commences on schedule."

Another user joked: "I accidentally said "Happy Thanksgiving" in public and I was immediately seized by a gang of radical liberals. They waterboarded me with kombucha and repeatedly threatened to give me healthcare. I'm lucky to be alive. Stay safe out there, #MAGA. The #WarOnThanksgiving is real." 

Others were quick to share photos of Turkeys getting ready to revolt against Thanksgiving.

While another user joked: "I’d join the fight but I’ve got bone spurs."

Some users have even been writing satirical letters home from the front line of the war on Thanksgiving.