An Indiana state senator sparked an uproar online after posting AI-generated images of himself clobbering Santa Claus in front of cheering fans on Christmas day \u2014 then mocked outraged critics as \u201csnowflakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Chris Garten, a two-term Republican, shared four faux photos <\/a>to his official X page of him in a sleeveless suit pummeling, kicking, and body slamming a terrified St. Nick in a crazed beatdown on the steps of the Indiana State Capitol as onlookers celebrated and waved \u201cGarten for Indiana\u201d signs.<\/p>\n Another snap shows the Senate Majority Floor Leader riding a reindeer in a bare-armed Santa outfit and sunglasses, flexing a comically jacked bicep in victory. <\/p>\n Sen. Chris Garten shared four faux photos of him pummeling, kicking, and body slamming a terrified St. Nick. X\/Sen Chris Garten<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you find out the North Pole is trying to bring more bureaucratic overreach & unfunded mandates down the chimney disguised as \u2018Christmas cheer.\u2019 Not on my watch,\u201d Garten captioned his bizarre holiday post Thursday morning.<\/p>\n \u201cWe The People run Indiana, not the bureaucrats. Take it back to the North Pole big guy. Merry Christmas, Hoosiers!\u201d<\/p>\n Online critics pounced on the fake Kris Kringle beatdown images \u2014 which Garten later claimed he designed with his children \u2014 calling them a shameful and violent take on a cherished Christmas icon. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat on earth would compel a person to post images of them beating up a universally beloved figure?\u201d one user queried in the comments. <\/p>\n Another blasted him, saying \u201cSo warming to see the symbol of Christmas generosity and cheer get beaten to a bloody pulp!\u201d<\/p>\n The fake holiday beatdown was depicted at the Indiana State Capitol as onlookers waved \u201cGarten for Indiana\u201d signs. X\/Sen Chris Garten<\/p>\n Garten responded to the furor hours later, defending the fake snaps and ripping the \u201cinsufferable\u201d uproar. X\/Sen Chris Garten<\/p>\n One digital naysayer said the post was the \u201cmost pitiful thing I\u2019ve seen this Xmas,\u201d as the Indiana Democratic Party dragged the lawmaker<\/a>, calling the odd festive post \u201cpretty weird\u201d and labeling state Republicans as \u201cnot serious people.\u201d<\/p>\n Broadcaster Keith Olbermann\u00a0also chimed in, reposting the generated images with the caption<\/a>: \u201cWar on Christmas, Indiana GOP style.\u201d<\/p>\n Garten responded to the furor hours later, defending the fake snaps and ripping the \u201cinsufferable\u201d uproar. <\/p>\n \u201cLots of intolerance, swearing, and outrage on display over a few AI pics I had a blast designing with my kids,\u201d the state senator wrote in the follow-up post on X.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSome of you clowns are just insufferable. Hopefully your negativity stays in the comments and not directed at your families. Merry Christmas, snowflakes.\u201d <\/p>\n The Republican riding a reindeer in a sleeveless Santa outfit and sunglasses, flexing a comically jacked arm in victory. X\/Sen Chris Garten<\/p>\n The social post also featured another AI photo of him in a Santa suit, laughing and pointing at a snowflake. <\/p>\n