UPDATE: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump engaged with children across the nation during Christmas Eve calls, ensuring families that Santa Claus is safe and on track. The festive calls, routed through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), saw nearly 400,000 calls last year, showcasing a cherished holiday tradition.
As the Trumps sat at their Mar-a-Lago estate, they bantered with children about their Christmas wishes and the jolly figure’s global journey. Trump assured a curious 10-year-old from Oklahoma, “We track Santa all over the world. We want to make sure that Santa is being good.” He emphasized the importance of vigilance, saying, “We want to make sure that he’s not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa.”
The president responded to a 4-year-old’s wish for a dollhouse with optimism, stating, “I think we can work that out,” assuring her mother, “We owe a lot to Santa.” As NORAD tracked Santa’s progress over Sweden, Trump told an 8-year-old from Kansas that he should arrive at her home “in record time, probably in about 5 hours.”
When asked about leaving cookies for Santa, Trump advised, “I would leave them. I think Santa has a serious appetite.” He humorously remarked, “He won’t get mad, but I think he’ll be very disappointed.” This light-hearted exchange encapsulated the spirit of the season, drawing laughter and smiles from families across the nation.
The calls continued as children shared their Christmas wishes, including a Kindle and a pinball machine. Trump, showing interest, exclaimed, “You know Elton John? He did ‘Pinball Wizard.'” His engagement with the kids highlighted the joy and innocence of the holiday season.
NORAD’s Santa-tracking has been a tradition since 1955, with the past few presidents participating in these calls. Trump’s interaction was reminiscent of previous years, where humor often took center stage, reinforcing the holiday’s lighthearted nature. He spent about 20 minutes on calls with families before reaching out to U.S. military service members working during the holidays.
However, amidst the festive spirit, Trump also took to Truth Social to deliver a more pointed message, criticizing the “Radical Left Scum” and referencing strong economic reports. Despite this, he acknowledged that children might not be as interested in economic discussions, saying, “I don’t think the kids are too interested in that.”
As families celebrate this Christmas Eve, Trump’s calls serve as a reminder of the joy and magic of the season, blending nostalgia with a touch of contemporary political discourse. With NORAD’s Santa tracking continuing, families can rest easy knowing Santa is on his way, thanks to the president’s festive reassurances.
Stay tuned for more updates as families across the globe eagerly await Santa’s arrival.