HGTV has sparked a significant backlash from its audience in the United Kingdom after broadcasting a programme showcasing Donald Trump's festive decorations inside the White House. The channel's decision to air White House Christmas 2025 on Sunday night has been met with widespread criticism, with many fans labelling the special as 'tone-deaf' and threatening to abandon the network entirely.
A Festive Tour Sparks Outrage
The one-hour special, which aired without a traditional host and was instead narrated, provided a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive holiday transformation of the presidential residence. The 2025 theme, chosen by First Lady Melania Trump, was 'Home Is Where the Heart Is'. In a statement, Mrs Trump elaborated that home is "not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within."
The decoration process involved over one hundred volunteers and featured lavish displays. Key elements included an 18-foot concolor fir tree in the Blue Room, transported over 600 miles from Sidney, Michigan. The Red Room, dubbed the 'Fostering the Future' room, was adorned with a striking installation of 10,000 blue butterflies. In total, the White House was filled with more than 50 Christmas trees, 700 feet of garland, 25,000 feet of ribbon, and 75 of Melania Trump's signature wreaths with red bows.
Viewer Backlash and Boycott Threats
Despite the visual spectacle, the reaction from a segment of HGTV's viewership was intensely negative. On platforms like Reddit, fans unleashed their disappointment, criticising the network for celebrating the Trump administration amidst contemporary political tensions.
One viewer commented, 'Until class and thoughtfulness and empathy are a thing again, I'm not interested in how Voldemort is decorating his lair for Christmas.' Another stated bluntly, 'Changed the channel immediately.' The critique often centred on perceived insensitivity, with one person noting, 'With healthcare cost about to skyrocket for millions of Americans, this oligarch tone-deaf vanity programming is woefully ill planned.'
The backlash escalated to direct threats against the channel. 'Done with HGTV,' proclaimed one user. 'Nothing but garbage and cheap a** shows.' Another added, 'Yeah, not watching anything that has to do with that administration. I was not happy to see that on HGTV.'
Tradition and a Divided Reception
HGTV has a tradition of airing White House Christmas specials. The 2024 edition was fronted by Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt, while the popular Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, hosted the 2023 special. This year's break from using a high-profile host did not shield it from controversy.
Not all feedback was negative, however. Some viewers found merit in the programme's focus on craftsmanship and tradition. One commenter wrote, 'Missed the first 20 minutes, but it is fun watching how the various rooms are decorated... The Blue Room for the Gold Star Families, and the pastry chefs designing the gingerbread replica of the White House. Love it!'
Nevertheless, the overwhelming vocal response has been one of fury, placing HGTV in a difficult position with a portion of its audience. The network has yet to issue a public response to the growing calls for a boycott following the broadcast of White House Christmas 2025.
