The White House

First Lady Melania Trump has unveiled this year’s White House Christmas decorations, with the theme “Home is Where the Heart Is.” A video revealed Trump walking the White House corridors amongst a sea of white bedecked Christmas trees. Hints of blue accent the scene, with red drapes outlining the silhouette. The décor also included a copy of President Trump’s presidential portrait, made out of Legos. According to reports, the decorations include 10,000 blue butterflies, 25,000 feet of ribbons, 2,000 strands of light, 2,800 gold stars, 700 feet of garland, 120 pounds of gingerbread, 51 Christmas trees, and 75 classic Christmas wreaths.

“The saying ‘Home is Where the Heart is’ resonates deeply with me, especially as I navigate the joys, challenges, and frequent motion that comes with motherhood and business. The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings,” said the First Lady.

Trump’s critics were quick to pounce on the display, some calling it “pared down,” with Variety noting a “literal house of cards” being displayed as some sort of subversive move. Some outlets recalled leaked tapes from Mrs. Trump’s former senior adviser, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff. Wolkoff secretly taped Trump complaining about the tradition. “I’m working … my a** off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a f*** about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?” she said. Some of Trump’s previous decorations were also strongly criticized during President Trump’s first term, with her red Christmas trees being slammed for “dystopian” imagery.

Vanity Fair offered its own critical summary of Trump’s décor choices. “And, as we know, nothing says grace and radiance like Lego bricks and reminding the world of a hit Netflix show (House of Cards) starring an accused sexual predator (Kevin Spacey, who has denied the accusations) playing the role of a man who crimes his way to the very top and becomes president of the United States,” the outlet wrote. “While this is a change from Melania’s menacing blood-red Christmas trees of the past, one must wonder if she settled for those 10,000 blue butterflies because she couldn’t get a swarm of locusts on such short notice this time of year.”

Conservatives, however, celebrated the decorations, comparing the display to former First Lady Jill Biden’s decorations last year, when tap-dancers and a carousel were brought in. “Biden (Circus) vs. Trump (Elegance) Dignity has been restored,” wrote one account. “First Lady Melania Trump has released a video for this year’s Christmas at the White House: ‘Home is Where the Heart Is.’ Flashback: Jill Biden made a mocked Christmas by featuring woke clowns in her Christmas decorations!” wrote another. “Just announced: We’re so back!!!

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