The fine people of the state of Louisiana probably knew this for many years before, but the rest of the population of the United States didn’t cotton on to Kennedy’s genius until he became the junior Senator from Louisiana in 2017. This year he brought in Alphonse, his stuffed alligator, to help spread his Christmas message and won the internet.

The Senator posted his message with his co-host on Christmas morning and I must have seen it soon after because I commented “Amen”. It was SO Louisiana. Peep this:

Amen

— Toni Williams (@toniknxvll) December 25, 2025

Senator Kennedy knows his constituents and their tribalism. Louisianians are very tribal and there is nothing wrong with that. They will fight each other but don’t insult one of them because you will have to deal with all of them. It’s a little like Brooklyn, NY used to be, but isn’t now.

Mediaite picked up this article from Kathryn Wilkens:

On Thursday, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) shared a particularly memorable Christmas message on X, posting a video of himself seated beside a taxidermied alligator in a Santa hat while declaring, “You can find God’s love everywhere, but it really shines in Louisiana.”

Many outlets either picked up Wilkens article or cribbed from it. They all used “taxidermied”. I prefer calling it a stuffed alligator. Nevertheless, you really wouldn’t want a non-taxidermied or non-stuffed animal in your house now would you?

Many people who hunt have a trophy or two at home. My brother is a bow-hunter. Deer are a particular nuisance in Southern Ohio. There was a buck on the wall near a closet. My son kept opening the closet door. He was sure he would catch the rest of the deer in that closet sooner or later. Alphonse the stuffed alligator is in his full glory. Oops! Did I tell you his name?

Here is Senator Kennedy with Alphonse two years ago at Christmas:

Senator Kennedy just rewrites the script a little from one year to next. You can see Alphonse near the yellow and white chairs from Senator Kennedy’s office in these photos because he dresses Alphonse the stuffed alligator up for Mardi Gras too.

..when dressed for Mardi Gras… pic.twitter.com/wnAOhEpuIU

— AWPS NEWS (@Observer609) March 15, 2025

Senator Kennedy is a true Louisiana original, with or without Alphonse the stuff alligator. He has the gift of gab and he’s quick with a quip. Some of his best are here:

“You know what’s crazier than a cat in a dog park? Congress trying to get its act together!” – Senator John Kennedy

“Politicians are like diapers; they need to be changed often, and for the same reason!” – Senator John Kennedy

“I love my job, but I often find it takes a lot of ‘creative writing’ to keep up with the issues!” – Senator John Kennedy

“There’s a fine line between a politician and a scarecrow. Both scare the daylights out of you!” – Senator John Kennedy

“Whenever I hear the phrase ‘shovel-ready project,’ I just picture Congress with a shovel doing anything but work!” – Senator John Kennedy

“The biggest joke about bipartisan cooperation is that it sometimes feels like watching paint dry!” – Senator John Kennedy

“Some of my colleagues seem to plan their speeches as if they’ve lost the outline to their last grocery list!” – Senator John Kennedy

Alligators are a cash crop farmed for their meat and hides. Don’t care for the meat but I do love alligator purses. Gator farming is lucrative and a conservation method for containing the population. Alligators are also a nuisance. They are all over the place and have to be killed/captured.

I love that Senator Kennedy keeps a stuffed alligator named Alphonse in his office. I think everyone should have one. Merry Christmas Senator Kennedy and Alphonse.

Featured Image: Grok/Public Domain