FIRST GRINCH

First lady Melania Trump unveils White House Christmas decorations after making controversial comments about the tradition

The first lady was previously recorded asking ‘who gives a f— about Christmas stuff and decorations?’

Published: Nov. 30, 2020 By  Nicole Lyn Pesce

First lady Melania Trump tours this year’s White House Christmas decorations. THE WHITE HOUSE

First lady Melania Trump revealed the White House’s 2020 holiday decorations on Monday, which feature fir trees wrapped in twinkling white lights and decked with red ornaments.

“During this special time of year, I am delighted to share ‘America the Beautiful’ and pay tribute to the majesty of our great Nation,” reads the post on the first lady’s official Twitter TWTR, -0.17% account. “Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home.”

But many of the account’s followers were quick to speculate about the first lady’s true feelings toward the White House tradition, after erstwhile friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff recently revealed a secretly recorded conversation capturing the FLOTUS saying “who gives a f—” about Christmas decorations.


This year's theme for the White House Christmas decorations is "America the Beautiful." GETTY IMAGES

According to the recording, which was featured in Wolkoff’s book “Melania and Me” released in October, the first lady has been less than jolly about decking the halls at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

“I’m working my a— off with the Christmas stuff that, you know, who gives a f— about Christmas stuff and decorations, but I need to do it, right?” Trump is heard saying on the recording.

“And then I do it, and I say I’m working on Christmas and planning for Christmas,” she continued. “And they say, ‘What about the children that are separated [at the southern border]?’ Give me a f—ing break.”

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In secret tape, Melania Trump profanely airs frustrations over criticism of her

So some critics called back to the “who gives” remark in the comments beneath the Twitter post, or posted the audio of the surreptitiously recorded and obscenity-laced remarks about the Christmas decorations. Others pointed out that she won’t have to worry about doing this anymore, with Joe Biden and family set to move into the White House on Jan. 20.

This year’s “America the Beautiful” theme represents the nation’s “boundless natural wonders,” such as classical urns in the East Colonnade celebrating the country’s diverse landscapes, and window vignettes in the Green Room showcasing American wildlife.


This year's theme for the White House Christmas decorations is "America the Beautiful." GETTY IMAGES

And the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room is decorated with ornaments created by students across the country; each depicts what makes their state beautiful.

There are also ornaments in the Red Room saluting America’s everyday heroes serving as first responders and front line workers during the pandemic, as well as a gingerbread house made from 275 pounds of gingerbread dough and 25 pounds apiece of chocolate and royal icing.

Check out the White House Christmas decorations here:

This year’s holiday decorations were largely lauded for being tasteful and traditional — especially after the 2018 décor debacle that featured towering, blood-red trees, which critics likened to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Shining” or Russian president Vladimir Putin.

And many of the Trumps’ supporters raved about the “beautiful” and “stylish” seasonal trimmings, and argued the First Lady’s quotes had been taken out of context. And the layout scored some bipartisan support, as well, with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) tweeting “this is beautifully decorated and can be appreciated if we don’t allow our politics to dilute everything.”