The Christmas decor this year pays a "tribute to the majesty of our great Nation."
The most wonderful time of the year is here and so is the excitement. Amid President Donald Trump's refusal to concede the election, the First Lady Melania Trump has unveiled the Christmas decorations for this year. Mrs. Trump took to Twitter and revealed this year's theme - “America the Beautiful."
She penned, "During this special time of the year, I am delighted to share “America the Beautiful” and pay tribute to the majesty of our great Nation. Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home. #WHChristmas"
During this special time of the year, I am delighted to share “America the Beautiful” and pay tribute to the majesty of our great Nation. Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home. #WHChristmas pic.twitter.com/fdZmB3rdXL
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) November 30, 2020
According to NPR, the official White House Christmas tree stands at a whopping height of 18 feet in the Blue Room. The ornaments dangling from the fir are handmade by students from across the country, depicting what makes their state beautiful.
The East Wing entrance is decorated with a traditional Gold Star Family Tree, honoring all those who put their lives at stake to protect America every day. The Red Room features a tree decorated with ornaments dedicated to the frontline workers and first responders.
Paying homage to the rich history of the United States, the White House Library sheds light on the 100th ratification of the 19th Amendment. Art from the first lady's 19th Amendment child art competition has been displayed near the tabletop tree. The cars, trains, and planes running around the Christmas trees are a nod to technology and innovations that played a major role in making America what it is today.
“America the Beautiful” #Christmas at the @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/2kCBET7EcL
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) November 30, 2020
The FLOTUS, in an official statement, revealed that the reason behind the sparkling White House is the hard work of volunteers from across the country. She said, "I am excited to announce this year’s White House holiday theme, ‘America the Beautiful.'"
"Over the past four years, I have had the honor to travel to some of our nation’s most beautiful landmarks and meet some of the most compassionate and patriotic American citizens. From coast to coast, the bond that all Americans share is an appreciation for our traditions, values, and history, which were the inspiration behind the decorations this year," she continued.
What a joy to spend time w so many talented young artists as part of the @NatlParkService, @NationalParkFdn & @usedgov “America Celebrates” ornament display. You should be proud that your ornaments will be beautifully displayed here at the @WhiteHouse & @PresParkNPS. #WHChristmas pic.twitter.com/WRuAgRVH0Z
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 1, 2020
Mrs. Trump further added, "Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who worked to make sure the People’s House was ready for the holiday season. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year."
Contrary to previous Christmas decorations, the first lady chose to be traditional this year. The Guardian reported that the 2018 White House decoration that featured 40 blood-red trees made some people wonder if it was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, the story of a dystopian society. 2017's Balsam fir trees dripping with icicles too didn't sit well with some people and became the fodder for many memes.
The unveiling of the Christmas decoration comes after a secret recording of Mrs.Trump was recently released expressing her frustration over being criticized for the President's policy of separating families who illegally crossed the southern border all the while continuing with the traditional first lady duties like planning for Christmas.
According to tapes played by CNN earlier this year, which was recorded in the summer of 2018, the first lady can be heard saying, "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?"
"And then I do it and I say that I'm working on Christmas and planning for Christmas and they said, 'Oh, what about the children that they were separated from?' Give me a f****** break," she continued in the recording that was made by Trump's former senior adviser and friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.
Oh. My. God. 😳#MelaniaTapes pic.twitter.com/ETEybvVtk9
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 2, 2020
Stephanie Grisham, who was the first lady's spokeswoman at the time gave a statement saying, "Secretly taping the First Lady and willfully breaking an NDA to publish a salacious book is a clear attempt at relevance. The timing of this continues to be suspect - as does this never-ending exercise in self-pity and narcissism."
Wolkoff later released a book in September 2020, titled Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady, detailing her relationship with Mrs. Trump.
Criticizing Wolkoff, Grisham gave a statement to CBS News and said, "Her only intent was to secretly tape the First Lady in order to peddle herself and her salacious book," Grisham said. "There is no way to know if these recordings have been edited and it's clear the clips were hand-picked and presented with no context. The First Lady remains focused on her family and serving our country."
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/01/politics/melania-trump-tapes/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/melania-trump-unveils-white-house-christmas-decorations/
