President Biden shocked attendees at the White House’s National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday night when he doffed his stocking cap to reveal long, wispy locks — appearing more like a character out of Charles Dickens’ Yuletide classic than the commander-in-chief.
His white, billowy hair stood on end from the wool cap’s static electricity, spooking the White House press corps by making him seem older — and ghostlier — than usual.
“You’re still here?” he said in a playful jab at the journalists huddled in the frigid air on the South Lawn after he delivered his remarks to the crowd.
The shocking portraits of the 82-year-old president immediately began circulating online, earning him comparisons to the cast of “A Christmas Carol.”
“Dude literally looks like [Jacob] Marley’s Ghost at this point,” one X user offered, referencing the ex-partner of Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” who comes to warn the miser of his looming fate.
“Biden about to be visited by the ghosts of corruption past present and future,” another carped in a veiled swipe at the president’s sweeping pardon of his son Hunter ahead of federal sentencing for gun and tax offenses — which covers any other crimes he may have committed between 2014 and 2024.
“It’s uncanny how this is Ebenezer Scrooge’s exact reaction to seeing all 3 Christmas ghosts in order,” a third suggested of the president’s quizzical demeanor.
Others said Biden’s unkempt coiffure rather reminded them of movie stars or eccentric artists and sportscasters.
“Wait til they get a load of me,” one netizen mocked, likening the president to Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker in the 1989 film “Batman.”
“Bro’s hair looks like Bill Murray’s in King Pin,” another scoffed in an homage to the 1996 film about bowling.
“Take me out to the ballll [sic] game, take me out with the crowd,” laughed a third, saying the oldest-ever president was more similar to legendary Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Caray.
“Joe Biden has entered his Andy Warhol era,” a fourth X account noticed, while a fifth observer simply shared Nick Nolte’s notorious mugshot for driving under the influence in 2002.
Still others said Biden had broken out of presidential mode to resemble instead “a combo of a mad scientist and the crypt keeper.”
“Biden looks increasingly like the Crypt Keeper, which is fitting as he presides over a historically massive handout to the Merchants of Death,” posted another, apparently opposing the administration providing military aid for US allies in conflicts abroad.
A third wrote: “Biden’s entire presidency summed up in a hairdo.”
The retiring president approached the press pen after delivering remarks about a highly decorated, 30-foot red spruce tree placed at the Ellipse and now embodying the “spirit” of the season.
“The theme is ‘A Season of Peace and Light’ — of peace and light — the peace we feel as we pause and reflect on our blessing and the light — the light we see as we gather with loved ones that cherish our time together,” Biden said, in a nod to first lady Jill Biden’s holiday theme announced earlier this week.
“During this season of reflection and renewal, many of us will sing ‘O Holy Night.’ A phrase in the song is, ‘His law is love; His gospel is peace,’” the second Catholic president went on.
“May [sic] wish for you and for the nation, now and always, is we continue to seek the light of liberty and love, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency,” he added.
“Merry Christmas, America. Merry Christmas to all of you. And may God bless you all. And may God protect — may God protect our troops.”
The wind was biting in the nation’s usually balmy capital last night, bringing in a winter chill to mark the start of the holiday season.
That’s a body double, not Biden.