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 — then mocked outraged critics as “snowflakes.”
Sen. Chris Garten, a two-term Republican, shared four faux photos 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 “Garten for Indiana” signs.
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.
“When you find out the North Pole is trying to bring more bureaucratic overreach & unfunded mandates down the chimney disguised as ‘Christmas cheer.’ Not on my watch,” Garten captioned his bizarre holiday post Thursday morning.
“We The People run Indiana, not the bureaucrats. Take it back to the North Pole big guy. Merry Christmas, Hoosiers!”
Online critics pounced on the fake Kris Kringle beatdown images — which Garten later claimed he designed with his children — calling them a shameful and violent take on a cherished Christmas icon.
“What on earth would compel a person to post images of them beating up a universally beloved figure?” one user queried in the comments.
Another blasted him, saying “So warming to see the symbol of Christmas generosity and cheer get beaten to a bloody pulp!”
One digital naysayer said the post was the “most pitiful thing I’ve seen this Xmas,” as the Indiana Democratic Party dragged the lawmaker, calling the odd festive post “pretty weird” and labeling state Republicans as “not serious people.”
Broadcaster Keith Olbermann also chimed in, reposting the generated images with the caption: “War on Christmas, Indiana GOP style.”
Garten responded to the furor hours later, defending the fake snaps and ripping the “insufferable” uproar.
“Lots of intolerance, swearing, and outrage on display over a few AI pics I had a blast designing with my kids,” the state senator wrote in the follow-up post on X.
“Some of you clowns are just insufferable. Hopefully your negativity stays in the comments and not directed at your families. Merry Christmas, snowflakes.”
The social post also featured another AI photo of him in a Santa suit, laughing and pointing at a snowflake.
Garten, who was elected in 2018, told The Independent he didn’t understand why his “humorous” post was causing such a stir.
“With everything going on in the world, I struggle to understand why my evidently humorous post is considered news,” the baffled lawmaker said.
“The fake outrage online is a stark reminder of how overly sensitive society has become, and maybe some self-reflection is in order.”
Garten did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
