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The White House Holiday Decor for 2018 presents the theme of "American Treasures".
USA TODAY'S HUI

WASHINGTON (AP) – Melania Trump's Cranberry Topiary Trees may have left some of her critics see red But they turned out to be a Christmas success – one of the many new ideas presented by the Trumps this holiday season.

In four weeks of vacation, the president organized fewer official photo shoots and largely froze the media. But in the tradition, however, politicians still used the celebrations to make last-minute deals.

Many evenings were held under the threat of a partial government closure coming into effect Saturday.

A congressional deadlock over Trump's $ 5 billion request for the construction of a wall at the US-Mexican border has forced the president to delay his plan to transfer the party to his estate in Florida on Friday. He stayed in Washington while his wife and son Barron went to Palm Beach without him.

The red trees appearing on a green carpet along the wing colonnade is quite appealing: pedestrian traffic jams formed the Trump crowd the party guests claimed to be photographed in front of them an unusual holiday landscape.

"Every person who has gone through the wing is arrested to take a picture," said conservative commentator Paris Dennard, a recent guest.

Armstrong Williams, another A conservative commentator tweeted pictures of himself posing along the corridor lined with red trees at a reception.

"I thought it was just chic," he said. "Ideal for photos."

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Trump and the first lady held Wednesday the last two evenings of the season, where guests feasted on chops. lamb, shrimp and potato latkes with a bar serving desserts including lemon tart, coconut cake and Christmas cookies. Champagne and noodle eggs flowed freely.

According to the guests, these would be festive gatherings largely devoid of open political rhetoric, while people who did not know were wasting time catching up.

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Sebastian Gorka, Trump's former National Security Advisor, described this atmosphere as "a true celebration of the Judeo-Christian heritage of the United States and our oldest traditions. "

He added by email that his guests had talked about "how good it is that the White House is occupied by a man and a woman who love this country and the importance for the Conservatives of 'to be happy warriors, as President Reagan told us.'

"Have a good time at the Whitehouse (sic) Christmas party!" Reince Priebus, former Chief of Staff of the White House at the White House, added to the photo he tweeted as well as John Kelly, outgoing Chief of Staff. Kelly succeeded Priebus only six months after the start of the new administration. Now, Kelly must leave at the end of December, after 18 months as head of the Oval Office.

Lee Majors, Diamond and Silk defender, "Six Million Dollar Man", also attended the event. Wayne Rooney.

Widely absent from the festivities this year was the traditional opportunity for guests to get their picture taken with Trump and his wife, a tedious process that asks the President and the First Lady to stand for hours, smiling . posing and chatting with hundreds of guests, whom they hardly know some.

Trump retains the tradition of photography for members of the US secret service, law enforcement and armed forces, as well as for staff working in the residence, according to a White House official who refused to identify discussing details of private receptions.

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Melania Trump continues the tradition of the first ladies of a Christmas visit to Washington. children's hospital. (December 13)
AP

Aside from a pair of Chanukah receptions in the East Room, many holiday receptions were held at the Grand Foyer, the open ground floor in front of the Blue Room.

The parties had a certain rhythm: an asset dressed in tuxedo and the first lady, who wore a variety of white, black and green robes, descended the red carpet staircase hand in hand. residence on one level. Trump delivered about 10 minutes of welcome before inviting his wife to speak. They then mixed and posed for informal photos before going back up the stairs.

Williams said he saw a "heat" between the couples.

"Look at that body language, she was really happy, and she was really happy to be with him," said Williams, adding that the president's words were "optimistic".

The parties also offered job search opportunities to some people on the hunt.

Trump, for example, has to find a new interior. Secretary and a class of Congress members soon unemployed among whom to choose what he wants.

More: Melania Trump dismisses "gossiping" as a result of Cohen's condemnation: "Focus on Substance"

Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., Who lost his reelection, is one of those members who is interested in the position Denham attended the ball at the White House on Saturday.

White House press was interrupted Trump's unpleasant relationship with the journalists covering it and his administration reached their peak last month after the White House canceled a press card from a correspondent But the White House quickly restored the pass after a federal judge ordered it.

Instead, the White House announced that it was organizing tours for journalists and their families. who had asked to see the decorations.

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