Online critics are not impressed with First Lady Jill Biden’s Christmas decorations at the White House this year.
The Christmas decorations were unveiled the morning after President Joe Biden made the shock announcement that he would pardon his son Hunter, 54, just before leaving for Africa for an official trip to Angola.
Dr. Biden’s theme at the White House this year was “A Season of Peace and Light,” but some said the decorations reminded them more of the “circus” and called the set-up “in poor taste.”
‘The White House Christmas decorations have a circus theme. How appropriate,” Senator Josh Hawley’s communications director, Abigail Jackson, wrote in X.
This year, the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room was difficult to see, as the real spruce was hidden behind a fake animal carousel.
There was also what appeared to be a maypole shaped like a circus tent hanging from the top of the tree.
Another room featured multicolored ribbon replacing window curtains and looked like the entrance to a fun house.
The first lady held a reception Monday with National Guard families after the decorations were unveiled.
Social media users tore up First Lady Jill Biden’s Christmas decorations for her final holiday with Joe Biden at the White House, comparing her decorations to a ‘circus’
Jill Biden spoke to National Guard families at the White House after revealing their decorations. Here he first responded to the news of Hunter Biuden’s pardon, saying: “Of course I support my son’s pardon.”
After delivering brief remarks at the reception, Jill Biden responded publicly for the first time to the news of Hunter’s pardon.
‘Dr. Biden, what changed in the pardon for Hunter? a journalist shouted at the first lady.
“Of course I support my son’s forgiveness,” she was seen responding to a muted microphone.
Jill then delivered her Christmas message to the nation and thanked the at least 300 volunteers who helped decorate the White House.
Reporters were allowed early access to the White House on Monday to view and capture the decorations Jill Biden chose for her final Christmas as first lady.
Many in the audience were unimpressed with the Biden administration’s grand finale.
‘What has Nurse Jill done with our White House? “OMG,” wrote Donald Trump’s Rapid Response Director Jake Schneider.
“The White House is a circus, so I guess these are appropriate Christmas decorations…” wrote one social media user with a clown emoji.
Another user said: ‘As always, the fake ‘Dr.’ Jill did a horrendous job with the ‘Christmas’ decorations at the White House. However, it had an appropriate circus theme for the resident clown.’
Multicolored ribbon hung framing the doors and windows of the White House
The official White House Christmas tree was hidden behind a carousel of animals including a reindeer, fox, penguin, duck and more, and a ribbon was strung from the top to recreate the look of a circus tent . Carnival music played as visitors made their way through the decorations.
Senator Josh Hawley’s communications director compared the White House Christmas decorations to a “circus”
Other aspects of the White House Christmas decorations were more traditional, with twinkling lights, trees and garlands lining the hallways.
Just hours after images emerged of the White House decked out in Christmas decorations, Dr. Biden delivered remarks to National Guard families while surrounded by the families’ children.
“It has been the honor of our lives to serve as your President and First Lady,” the Bidens wrote in a joint statement in the 2024 White House honors commemorative guide.
“Our hope is that the Nation will be blessed with the peace and light of the Christmas season.”
In a sentimental tone, they continued: ‘At the holidays, Americans come together each year in fellowship and faith, reminding us that we are stronger as a community than apart. The strength of our country and the soul of our Nation come from you.’
This year, the first lady’s White House decorations include 83 Christmas trees and 165,075 Christmas lights.
There are 9,810 feet of ribbon throughout the property and more than 28,125 decorations.
Like every year, the exterior of the White House was adorned with more than a dozen wreaths with red bows on each front window, as well as on the top of the building’s north lawn.
The White House gingerbread house replica is made from 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 65 pounds of hard icing, 45 pounds of chocolate, 50 pounds of royal icing, and 10 pounds of gum paste.