Melania Trump was a terrible First Lady, without a doubt. One would struggle to even come up with a list of three real accomplishments she had as FLOTUS. The one thing I give her credit for wasn’t even HER thing, I just give her credit for not ripping out Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden (Mel could have ripped it out, but didn’t). Be Best was just some idiotic busy work. Her one solo tour was just Melania on a taxpayer-funded Out of Africa-themed photoshoot. She could barely string together two sentences in her speeches.
Perhaps the only thing Melania did as FLOTUS which gave anyone any joy was her inability to decorate the White House appropriately for Christmas. We found later why that was – because she’s doesn’t give a f–k about Christmas, or Christmas decorations. 2017 was the stark, white-and-grey, bare-branches Christmas. 2018 was the Blood Trees of Doom Christmas. 2019 was the all-White (Power) decor. So what will this year’s Christmas decoration style be?
First Lady Melania Trump will decorate the White House for Christmas one final time next month. Following her husband’s election loss, Christmas 2020 will be the last holiday for which Mrs. Trump, 50, will be in charge of decorating the “People’s House” in Washington, D.C. The typically cheerful holiday preparation comes at a tumultuous moment for both the president and first lady. President Donald Trump, 74, is refusing to concede to his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden, while Mrs. Trump will be taking on the holiday decoration after secretly recorded tapes highlighted the first lady’s disdain for such duties last month.
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Mrs. Trump’s longtime friend and her former White House aide, shared the secret audio tapes with CNN last month while promoting her tell-all book, Melania & Me. In the tapes, Mrs. Trump was dismissive of the traditional first lady role.
“I’m working … my a– off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a f— about the Christmas stuff and decorations?” Mrs. Trump is heard saying in the tapes. “But I need to do it, right?”
A spokesperson for Mrs. Trump tells PEOPLE the first lady is “looking forward to once again opening the People’s House for Christmas” next month.
“It is an annual tradition that she has enjoyed designing since June,” Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s press secretary and chief of staff, says. “The decor will be showcased and celebrated across the country in December.”
Mrs. Trump will be going forward with the annual tradition in the wake of her husband’s election loss.
I mean, they’re making it sound like Melania had a choice? She didn’t have a choice, nor did she really “design” this year’s Christmas theme. Her office has handled all of it and Mel will just pose for photos. For one last time. But yeah, it’s not like Mel could say “since my husband lost, Christmas is cancelled!” You know she wants to though.
Photos courtesy of Getty, Backgrid, White House.
The all red trees was by far the worst one. So creepy and morbid. The most recent one (the one with all the white lights) was the closest thing to looking like actual Christmas, in a wintery kind of way I guess. I’m hoping the Biden’s will go all out with color and even have elf feet sticking out of the trees. The White House needs some fun.
Seeing it again, I don’t think it’s as bad as I thought the first time around. The all-red is definitely not my style but it does look like something a designer would put up somewhere “fancy” or maybe for the kind of people who like coordinated trees where all the ornaments match. It just doesn’t look very “Christmasy” to me- I could picture a set up like that in an atrium in a shopping mall or an office building any time of year. When I look at the picture now I mostly just see how shabby the carpet looks.
Actually, I like the first two? Yes, they are quite morbid and very conceptual but I don’t see why it’s a must to have uber-traditional out-of-holiday-movie Christmas decoration. I could see myself doing white branches myself. Red trees, I rather like from afar but it’s interesting at least.
I actually really like all her holiday decorations. They are interesting and a bit creepy but a nice break from the boring traditional Holiday decor. This is the one thing Melania did that was’t 100% awful IMO.
Probably in the minority here, but I actually liked the silver branches and the red trees. (Full disclosure here; I personally can’t stand christmas at all, but again I am probably in the minority). It definitely was an interpretation that was different.
Tend to agree that she won’t have any input with this year’s deco, since she hates the holiday so much. Fine with me.
Ooh, Biden should get some of the White House staff to do Elf on a Shelf, and watch Trump’s senile, paranoid ass rant about the doll moving on its own and tormenting him.
Miranda, I like your line of thought. Let’s make this happen.
The all-red one looks like something out of The Handmaid’s Tale. Clearly, this woman has so much disdain for tradition and the taste of a dead flea. If she must decorate this year, let it be simple. No big over the top nonsense.
I’m also hoping that as soon as Jill Biden takes over as FLOTUS she restores the Rose Garden to its former glory! How dare the pole dancer tear up work that’s been there for over 100 years! Edith Wilson, Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy must be rolling in their graves, (not to mention what Nancy Reagan’s corpse must be doing)! This tacky, trashy , despicable administration is best swept into the dumpster!
Is the tennis court finished yet? I think this year she might just copy one of the former first ladies’ Christmas designs.
Poor Melania! It must be hard to spread that Christmas cheer when you’re so dead inside. Maybe an ice theme this year? That would suit.
I predict this season she will incorporate Krampus
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus
“In Central European folklore, Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure described as “half-goat, half-demon”,[1] who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved.”
The walls will be splattered with blood red and the trees will be strung with the disemboweled intestines of Democrats.
LMFAO !!!
I’m here for that!!!! I really would like to go to a Krampus parade!!!
Omg Krampus is terrifying! As a child, when we went to see St. Nicholas, Krampus would be there in chains. The sound of those chains hitting the floor traumatized the little me!
I don’t care, do you?
She should wear a coat with “IDGAF about the Christmas stuff and decorations, do you?” on the back 🙂
It’s tradition and yes, Dr. Biden will be expected to do it too.
Yeah, since her husband can’t even bring himself to do his job anymore, she might think she needs to do her “job.” These people don’t care about tradition, they don’t even care about democracy or patriotism imo.
Although I hate seeing domestic stuff forced onto professional women, Jill seems like she probably already enjoys big family event type planning. Michelle seemed to really embrace stepping back from her high powered career to spend tine with family. But Hillary, our first career woman in the WH, from the first moment she had to bake cookies on the campaign trail, it was so clear she wasn’t suited to domestic life. And then she was repeatedly forced to play the loyal wife. Gdamn that woman persevered.
But Hillary did enjoy the Christmas decorating, the planning for which is actually done months ahead of time and hundreds of volunteers put up the actual decorations. During Hillary’s years, there was an emphasis that there had to be a tree for each state and the decorations on the tree represented or were from the state and there was a great deal of research involved. I remember one year the theme had something to do with dolls and the trees were decorated with dolls representing things or people the states were known for. Another year, there were contests for kids from the different states to design the ornaments. I think the Obamas did that one year too.
Last year, Melania used BeBest ornaments made from popsicle sticks.
Lightpurple, your last sentence…😂😂😂
Heh—the only time Hillary didn’t like WH decorating was when Martha Stewart dropped by one year saying how she would have done things better. 🤣😉
What is all her bitching about? Is it that hard to point a finger at a designer’s sketch? I hope the Bidens replant the roses in the Rose Garden too- there is something to be said for observing traditions. I thought all of Melania’s Xmas decorations looked cold and souless- kind of like her.
I am guessing she’s just going to outsource it this year as “she really doesn’t care. Do you?”
Side Note: And again there will be no Vogue cover yet again.
As an act of f*ck you, I hope that Michelle Obama or Jill Biden or even Doug Emhoff grace the cover of Vogue in at least 3 countries for the Inauguration issue.
Make it happen Vogue.
To be fair, I think a lot of the first ladies pick different designers to do certain displays. Volunteers are chosen to help set up the decorations. And some of the decorations in certain rooms are traditional and used each year. That’s why whining about having to do it seemed silly to begin with.
@Equality – TBF Melania has done very little and that;s even in the way of competent outsourcing.
I think Doug’s cover is going to come before Dr. Biden.
Not only is he the 1st male second spouse, he is also the 1st Jewish spouse.
That is a big deal.
@Tiffany – wow I had no idea. Truly historic.
I would love to be a fly on the wall in Melania’s abode when that issue drops – lol
Not elected AND not paid! That’s the one thing I’ll give Melania (or any president’s partner) a pass on- if they are “expected” to perform certain duties then they should be paid a fair wage for their work.
Yeah, she clearly never wanted to be in the White House and she isn’t getting paid to do anything, so I don’t really understand why people are so mad that she doesn’t do much. I think she’s a terrible person but I think our expectations of what the first partner does needs some modifying.
Pretty sure this family took all that they could in terms of financial compensation for her super hard job of showing her face once in awhile.
That is why it’s made so simple, it’s basically a carpet and some sort of tree: the less energy she needs to put it together, the better. I think the advisers hate the trumps so much they just say yes to all of this instead of actually helping her make it beautiful
Naw, I predict she will go all out this year. She finally has something to celebrate.
Lol so true. That she can finally file for divorce.
Haha!
I’m still convinced the Trumps will slink off to Mar-a-lago at Thanksgiving and not return to DC. So IDK if we’ll get a final Melanoma Christmas.
I can’t believe I’m going to say anything even remotely agreeing with anyone in this vomitous family but…why should we all care so much about Christmas decorations? This Christmas themed pageantry in the White House is one big government sanctioned religious symbol. Would we still expect it if our president were Jewish or Muslim?
You think this country will ever elect someone who isn’t from the Christian faith? Come on. There were people who could barely handle JFK being Catholic.
Emhoff is Jewish and if Harris is ever elected POTUS, he will be First Gentleman and responsible for winter holiday decorations. I’m sure he will plan for lots of Christmas trees but I hope he puts some Hanukkah decorations in there too!!!!
It speaks volumes about this woman that she thinks screaming at some underlings as they move a bunch of basic-ass, monochrome fake trees into place qualifies as “working [her] ass off.”
Meanwhile, our First Lady-to-be is going to keep her day job as a teacher AND carry out those oh-so-strenuous obligations. Think about that while you’re throwing some fucking tinsel around, Mel.
Is she the only First Lady who dropped an f-bomb that was recorded?
I think it is deleted by now but at some point the website announcing the Christmas decorations mentioned it was the final year of the trump White House and many took that to say that Melania was conceding.
I saw that, too!
I work with a few ladies who have taken great pride in telling everyone that they worked on the Christmas decor at the White house over the past few years. Our annual Christmas fundraiser has featured a few of these looks. She really doesn’t care, but hundreds of ladies who lunch do.
Yes-I lived in Maryland for years, and it absolutely is a big deal for the local ladies who help. It’s so typical of this family that they can’t even uphold the most basic WH traditions without screwing it up or complaining.
Looking forward to Doug Emhoff’s big Hanukah display and homemade latkes.
Delish
That sound we will soon be hearing are the timbers of the White House groaning in pain. What’s it going to be this year? Upside down Christmas trees and Santa Claus on fire?
Don’t worry old colonial mansion, the wicked witch with the bad taste will soon be gone.
with that huge fence around the White House, how do we know they haven’t torn out Mrs. Obama’s veggie garden???
She destroyed the Rose Garden, so yeah, that vegetable garden is long gone.
Melanie hated FLOTUS Obama as much if not more than her john hated President Obama.
All red, all white. . . time to change the White House to all blue for the New Year.
I didn’t mind the Christmas decorations. I loved that color red. Why not something different? The issue is that I don’t like her.
I guess given the “lost cause” nostalgia so prevalent in the Trump campaign, it’s surprising that she didn’t commission a schmaltzy mid century celebration of “real” america every year. Like full Norman Rockwell. The stark, cold tones are…a choice. I think they are probably more impressive in person than in these weird modelling shoots. Related – have you noticed that it’s almost always just her walking alone, admiring her decorations? Where are the smiling military families and adorable children putting ornaments on the tree? Maybe that’s what is so off about it.
Michelle Obama often talks about how she started to see the “duties” of first lady as an opportunity to promote designers of colour and better representation. I think she likes fashion, but it was more like “Well, if I’m in charge of choosing the art for our residence and creating a new plate service, I’m going to pick stuff I like.”
I don’t give an F about Christmas either but if I was the first lady and thus this was my only job, I’d have just had Laura Bush come in and do it. Her numbers were always sky high.
I am sure if it were Melania’s choice she would give the keys to the WH to Jill Biden tomorrow. She probably is thinking she is suffering the most in this transition as she still has to wait till January to leave and live bot caring for anything really.
I think everything should be upside down suspended from ceilings. Everything should be gold (and ocean blue). And decorating the ceiling trees should be thousands and thousands of joyous bon voyage cards sent by mail in voters. Outside, Santa’s sleigh is ready for extrication overflowing with orange luggage. We should make it the biggest departure party ever seen in the history of tremendous parties. Orange fireworks. Fast food stands. Everywhere signs and placards indulging in buh byes.
Everything should be upside down suspended from the ceiling: Trump, Ivanka, Melania, Jared, Donnie Junior, and the other what’s-his-faces…..
I don’t think I care…and I known she doesn’t. I wonder how long after the Inauguration will her divorce be filed. I am guessing 5 maybe 10 minutes?
I can envision a bunch of black Christmas trees strung with mini-Donalds hanging from nooses.
On the plus side, there is talk that they will leave for christmas vacation and never return to the white house- so he does not have to be seen as a LOSER on election day when he is evicted from the nation’s house.
As long as they send AF One back – intact – for Joe and Jill to use, I don’t care if they go to Florida for Thanksgiving and never return. And I am also glad that Jacqueline Kennedy’s design of AF One remains intact. The orange one wanted a new design, making it look like his own personal jet. That elegant pale blue and white is recognized the first second you see it. It’s one of the things I’m glad they didn’t get to change.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/air-force-one-trump-jackie-kennedy-blue
I have a feeling he’ll resign, have Pence pardon him, and go on to create his own Fake News Network to cater to his magats.
It is possible for Pence to grant a blanket pardon which would cover federal and state charges. However I do not see his ego allowing him to resign. A better choice may be to negotiate with Biden; I will leave quietly and behave myself in exchange for your presidential pardon. Much like Ford did for Nixon.
Has she done Black yet…
It would be fitting for a Vampire….
Let’s leave vampires out of this. They are noble creatures.
Melania not giving a fuck about Christmas is easily the only good thing abt her, which says so depressingly much about who she is as a person tbh.
Basically her interest in the White House Christmas decor is in that she can use it for her photo ops, swanning about in some designer get up as though she did any of the work at all. Can’t wait for the Bidens to get in there.
IDK about all the pump up for Xmas…. should we all be focusing on season’s greetings. Legit not everyone is Christian!
I’m absolutely looking forward to pictures of Biden putting up Barak’s portrait. It’s about f-ing time.
I predict that “ “F..k Christmas” will be her theme.
Hey if Melania isn’t up for decorating zee fuck!ng white house christmas trees this year, I’m sure the first daughter could take over! Genius working mom Ivanka already revolutionized Thanksgiving centerpieces with her festive autumn garbage clam and could do something similarly amazing this December. Maybe something environmentally conscious, incorporating the pulverized remains of the historic but now destroyed former first ladies’ rose garden. Or something socially conscious, like repurposing shreds of her slave labor jewel tone BULL$HIT Ivanka brand tops that lay dusty and unpurchased beneath Marshall’s clearance racks all across this great nation.
The red trees kill me. It’s like something out of The Shining or something!!