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First Lady Melania Trump revealed this year’s White House Monday morning Christmas decorations and theme: “America the Beautiful”. The unveiling is coming less than two months after secret June 2018 tapes were released by CNN, in which she complained of getting ready for the White House vacation.
The first lady announced the decorations on Twitter with a one-minute video showcasing the halls and festive halls of the White House. The White House also released the video and a press release on the revelation on Monday.
“At this special time of year, I am delighted to share ‘America the Beautiful’ and pay homage to the majesty of our great nation,” the first lady tweeted. “Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home.”
This year’s official White House Christmas tree sits in the Blue Room and stands over 18 feet tall, the White House press release says. The Fraser Fir, which arrived last week, features artwork from students across America who have been asked to represent “the people, places and things that capture the spirit of the state in which they live, ”the press release said. It is also adorned with a yellow and gold theme.
Much of the decor highlights individuals or groups who have made lasting contributions or sacrifices to the country.
First responders and frontline workers are highlighted in the red room – as they continue to work tirelessly in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. The handmade ornaments put the spotlight on professionals and volunteers, the statement said.
The annual Gold Star family tree welcomes those entering the East Wing and “honors our American heroes and their families who walk alongside them in service,” the statement said. The families who decorated the tree this year have written the name of their deceased family member on a ribbon that will appear on the tree.
The decor of the White House Library “highlights women at the forefront of American achievement who paved the way for generations to come”, in honor of the Recent 100th anniversary the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which guarantees women the right to vote. It also features the winning art of the First Lady’s 19th Amendment Children’s Art Competition this year.
The design also showcases America’s natural beauty. Urns with foliage representing the official tree of each state and territory can be found in the east colonnade, while vignettes in the windows of the Green Room feature a variety of wildlife, the statement said.
America’s achievements in transportation, technology, and innovation are on display in the East Room, with planes, trains and cars traveling through ribbons, trees and between twinkling lights.
The designs also feature holiday staples, including First Family stockings hanging over a fireplace in the China Room and a huge White House-like gingerbread house. on display in the State Dining Room, the statement said.
This year’s decorations may well be More anticipated of the Trump presidency, following the public release in October of the first lady’s swearing complaints in 2018 about planning a White House vacation.
“I work… my goddamn Christmas stuff, you know, who’s talking about Christmas stuff and decorations?” She said in the leaked audio which was secretly recorded by former senior advisor and friend of Trump, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff. “But I need to do it, right?”
She also played down President Trump family separation policy, as well as discussed his irritation with the criticism of politics in the audio.
CBS News did not independently verify the tapes.
Wolkoff published a book in September about his relationship with the First Lady titled “Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady”. The book was published by Simon & Schuster, a division of ViacomCBS.
In a statement to CBS News in October, the first lady’s chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham, criticized Wolkoff’s tapes.
“Her only intention was to secretly register the First Lady in order to peddle herself and her dirty book,” Grisham said. “There is no way of knowing if these recordings were edited and it is clear that the clips were handpicked and presented without context. The First Lady remains focused on her family and serving our country.”
Chris Brito contributed to this report.
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