Faith, the military and JFK: Hidden messages in Melania Trump’s White House Christmas decorations

Unveiling of decorations comes in shadow of recording of first lady complaining 'who gives a f*** about Christmas stuff’

For her fourth and final Christmas in the White House, first lady Melania Trump chose to play it safe with traditional Christmas decorations, a patriotic theme of “America the Beautiful” and references to faith, love, military families, and first responders — and a cameo by JFK.

The unveiling of the spectacle of numerous trees and twinkling lights follows the release in October of a recording of the first lady complaining “who gives a f*** about Christmas stuff” by her former friend and employee Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.

Ms Trump has been criticised in the past for her design choices when decorating the executive mansion. 2018’s effort included a hall of blood-red trees described as something out of The Handmaid’s Tale or The Shining; and 2017’s display of stark white branches was likened to Stranger Things and described as a "nuclear winter wonderland".

For 2020, as with last year’s "Spirit of America" theme, Ms Trump and an army of volunteers put together a warmer, less edgy display that runs throughout the executive mansion with nods to Gold Star families and American heroes, the role of women in the nation’s story, and even former first families.

Particular attention is paid to the Kennedys and former Democrat first lady Jackie’s role in establishing the “People’s House”. Ms Trump has previously said she is inspired by Ms Kennedy’s time as first lady. President John F Kennedy’s official portrait even appears on the Christmas trees in the Vermeil Room, according to a statement from the White House.

Women are recognised through the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote. Decor in the White House Library commemorates the achievements of American women, and the base of the tabletop tree is surrounded by children’s artwork celebrating the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment — part of a competition launched by the first lady earlier in the year.

The first family’s stockings hang on the fireplace in the China Room, themed on “the joy that home can bring”. In the Green Room American wildlife is celebrated, and in the Red Room America’s everyday heroes who serve as first responders and frontline workers are commemorated by handmade ornaments.

The East Room celebrities American transportation as a nation that has always been on the move, with planes, trains, automobiles adorning the trees — including an ornament decorated with the logo of Space Force, founded by Donald Trump.

In the State Dining Room sits the traditional 275lb gingerbread White House, this year including not just the mansion, east and west wings, but also the First Ladies’ Garden and the Rose Garden, designed by Jackie Kennedy and controversially made over by Ms Trump earlier in the year.

Finally, the official White House Christmas tree stands eighteen feet tall in the Blue Room and is decorated with ornaments made by children to depict their state, and is themed on the first lady’s “Be Best” initiative.

Ms Winston Wolkoff played the recordings of Ms Trump’s comments about her previous Christmas decorating efforts during an interview to promote her book, Melania & Me — which the first lady dismissed as “idle gossip”.

Ms Trump’s comments were made as she began planning the White House Christmas decorations during the scandal over the president’s policy of splitting migrant families up at the border and detaining children.

The first lady complained about being seen as complicit for not speaking out against her husband’s policies, and that Michelle Obama had not received any similar criticism.

Meanwhile, over at Number One Observatory Circle, second lady Karen Pence is also at work preparing for their final Christmas in the official residence of the vice president.

In a video posted to Twitter, a masked Ms Pence and her daughter can be seen arranging stockings and adding the final touches to their Christmas tree.