A collection of letters to the editor in The Canberra Times has revealed a surprising theory linking former US President Donald Trump's diplomatic moves to a Christmas icon, alongside pressing local concerns about urban planning and public finances.
Santa Claus in the crosshairs of geopolitical intrigue
One correspondent has posited a startling explanation for President Trump's appointment of a special envoy to Greenland just days before Christmas. The writer points to a 2003 declaration by the Father Christmas World Congress, which established Greenland as the official home of Santa Claus, believed to reside in Uummannaq.
The letter suggests this diplomatic manoeuvre is a cynical first step in a campaign to influence global youth. The theory alleges that with Santa under his influence, Trump could engage in psychological operations, using Christmas presents to deliver subliminal messages promoting his worldview to children.
Local frustrations: Pools, planning, and public debt
Shifting from international speculation to local grievances, several readers expressed deep dissatisfaction with the ACT government's handling of community infrastructure. One letter lamented the loss of a much-needed 50-metre pool in Woden, pinning the blame on decisions by Labor-Greens and Labor governments.
The writer hopes an ongoing ACT Auditor-General's investigation will reveal the truth behind what they describe as questionable behind-the-scenes manoeuvring and inadequate assessments for a growing community.
This sentiment was echoed by another reader who called the demise of Canberra's outdoor pools a "disgrace", criticising poor long-term planning and collusion with large developers. The letter questioned the decision to allow developer Geocon to proceed with a smaller, less functional public pool in Phillip, especially as severe heatwave warnings hit the capital.
ACT fiscal management under the microscope
The territory's financial health was another major theme. A detailed analysis of ACT debt raised serious concerns, noting that since Chief Minister Andrew Barr became Treasurer on July 1, 2011, net borrowing has exceeded $12 billion.
The correspondent argued that only just over $5 billion of this debt financed infrastructure, with thirteen consecutive annual operating deficits totalling $7 billion forming the bulk of the liability. The letter cites a warning from ACT Auditor-General Michael Harris that the territory's credit rating faces further downgrades without strong action to deliver a meaningful surplus.
Symbols and science: Flags and climate change
A more cultural concern was raised by a reader driving overseas visitors around Canberra. The guest were reportedly confused by the display of three flags—the Australian National Flag and two Aboriginal flags—at official sites. The writer argued that while the Aboriginal flags were more visually striking, they represent less than 3 per cent of the population, whereas the national flag symbolises all Australians.
On matters of science, another letter supported a columnist's critique of the Trump administration's dismissal of over 1000 scientists from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The writer condemned the removal of established climate science from the EPA website and urged a faster transition away from fossil fuels, citing the devastation of extreme weather events on ordinary Australians.
The letters section also featured brief "To the Point" contributions on topics ranging from museum funding and political division to gun control debates following the Bondi tragedy, and even an early sighting of hot cross buns in Coles catalogues on December 26, 2025.
