On Christmas Eve, President Donald Trump engaged in a heartwarming tradition by speaking with children who called to share their excitement about the holiday season. While vacationing at his luxurious Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took part in a festive event organized by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which playfully tracks Santa’s journey around the world.
During the calls, Trump emphasized the importance of ensuring that "Santa is being good." He expressed a playful concern about not allowing a "bad Santa" to infiltrate the country, though he did not elaborate on what he meant by that. Speaking to children aged 4 to 10 from Oklahoma, he said, “We want to make sure that he’s not infiltrating, that we’re not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa.” This lighthearted approach was consistent with the jovial atmosphere of the calls, despite Trump's history of using the holiday season to voice political criticisms.
In previous years, Trump has taken the opportunity during Christmas to criticize his political opponents. In 2024, he tweeted, “Merry Christmas to the Radical Left Lunatics.” Even during this year's Christmas Eve call, shortly after his chats with children, he posted a message on social media targeting those he views as adversaries, saying, “Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly.”
Despite these political undertones, Trump maintained a cheerful demeanor while interacting with the children. He joked with an 8-year-old from North Carolina about whether Santa would be upset if no cookies were left for him, saying he didn't think so but that Santa would be "very disappointed." Trump humorously described Santa as being "a little on the cherubic side" and added, “I think Santa would like some cookies.”
One amusing exchange occurred when an 8-year-old girl from Kansas expressed her desire for Santa to bring gifts other than coal. Trump playfully responded, “You mean clean, beautiful coal?” referencing his campaign slogan about reviving domestic coal production. After eliciting laughter, he said, “Coal is clean and beautiful. Please remember that, at all costs.” The little girl quickly clarified her wish for a Barbie doll, clothes, and candy instead of coal, to which Trump responded with a chuckle.
Throughout the event, the President and First Lady took about a dozen calls, showcasing their commitment to the holiday spirit. Trump noted his wife's intense focus during the calls, humorously commenting on how little attention she paid to him at times. As the night wrapped up, it was clear that President Trump's Christmas Eve interactions were filled with joy, laughter, and a touch of his characteristic humor, making it a memorable occasion for all involved.
In conclusion, this year's Christmas Eve at Mar-a-Lago was a blend of festive cheer and light-hearted banter, showcasing a different side of President Trump as he interacted with children while embracing the spirit of the holiday season.