President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump officially ushered in the festive period at the White House on Thursday evening, presiding over the 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
A Festive Spectacle on the Ellipse
The event took place on the Ellipse lawn just south of the executive mansion on a dark, blustery evening where temperatures hovered around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Before a crowd of several thousand bundled-up attendees, Melania Trump, wearing a festive white coat, pressed a button after a countdown from five.
This action ignited the massive conifer, immediately bathing the night in dazzling white light. The tree was adorned with enormous illuminated gingerbread and star ornaments. "Thank you, Melania, and it's a beautiful job they did on creating that tree. It's a beauty," President Trump told the cheering audience.
A military band provided music, and Christmas tunes and familiar hymns played over the sound system as guests mingled.
Moments of Solemnity and Celebration
The ceremony included a solemn moment when President Trump paid his respects to two National Guard soldiers who were shot just blocks from the White House the previous week. "I want to pay my highest respects to those two great Guardsmen," he stated, also offering wishes for the recovery of one soldier, named Andrew.
The president's remarks then turned to the biblical roots of Christmas. He quoted from the Gospel of John, saying, "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." He was quick to add, "We love the Christians. We love all religions. And by the way, religion is coming back to the USA."
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, as chief of the National Park Service, delivered remarks before the president. The event was attended by a host of senior officials, including:
- Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha, and their three children.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi and her partner John Wakefield.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines.
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and her husband Abraham Williams.
- Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler and her husband Jeff Sprecher.
Musical Performances and a Peace Announcement
The ceremony featured a lineup of predominantly country and Christian musical acts, including Alana Springsteen, Brett Young, Gabby Barrett, and The Beach Boys, whom President Trump praised as "great."
During his address, President Trump also highlighted a significant diplomatic achievement from earlier that day. "We just settled another war today. You saw that with Rwanda and the Congo. It's been going on for 34 years. Millions of people killed," he reflected. "That was a big one. We're very happy to announce it on this important day."
The 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting successfully blended traditional holiday cheer with moments of national reflection, setting the stage for the White House's Christmas celebrations.
