Melania Trump’s “unusual” and “odd” demeanor at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony quickly sparked a wave of wild conspiracy theories online.
The former first lady joined her husband, President Donald Trump, on Thursday, December 4, in Washington, D.C., for the 103rd annual event, continuing the century-old tradition.
“How come she is always smiling? That’s so unlike her. Maybe she knows something we don’t,” speculated one netizen.
Melania Trump partook in the 103rd annual event alongside her husband, President Donald Trump, signaling the start of the holiday season
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The historic tradition featured a 32-foot red spruce grown in the mountains of Highland County, Virginia, decorated with more than 80,000 LED lights.
The main tree was surrounded by 59 smaller trees donated by a North Carolina tree farm, representing every U.S. state and territory, the District of Columbia, the Bureau of Indian Education, Department of Defense schools, and America250.
The presidential tradition was first started by former President Calvin Coolidge, who reportedly presided over the lighting of a 48-foot Balsam fir from his home state of Vermont in 1923.
Image credits: Fox News
As in previous years, this year’s ceremony included performances by the Beach Boys, Alana Springsteen, Brett Young, and others.
Donald Trump addressed the assembled audience from the stage, standing alongside his wife, Melania Trump, who wore a stark white long coat and flashed a wide, toothy smile.
The first lady flipped the switch to light up the tree at the ceremony, marking her fifth appearance at the iconic event
Image credits: Fox News
Trump opened his remarks by commenting on the chilly weather, 30°F (-1°C), saying, “It is beautiful. Not too cold. There’s no wind. We don’t have to wear hats or anything.”
When it was time for the main moment, he turned to his wife and said, “The first lady is going to do the honors,” before counting down from five to zero as Melania stepped forward and pressed the button.
The towering tree behind them instantly lit up with warm, golden lights.
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
However, the festive moment was quickly overshadowed by renewed chatter about Mrs. Trump’s appearance, especially in light of her past Christmas-related controversies.
Fans offered theories of their own, some suspicious of her unusually wide smile, given her reputation for rarely smiling at public events; others speculating she was being paid by her husband to be there; and some even resurfacing her infamous 2018 leaked recording in which she expressed her dislike for the holiday season.
“Who gives a f**k about the Christmas stuff and decorations?!” Melania had previously expressed her dislike toward the holiday season
One user wrote, “Wow, first pic of Melanie actually smiling and not have a stoic grumpy face.”
Another commented, “Must be in the prenup for Melanie to make an appearance.”
A third joked, “Good grief it was cold! Melania must’ve been furious,” to which another agreed, saying, “She’s paid well to be his es**rt no matter the weather.”
“Been seeing a lot more of Melania lately. She must have renegotiated her contract and gotten a raise.”
In 2020, a secretly recorded audio conversation from 2018 was leaked publicly, in which Melania expressed frustration with the pressure and criticism surrounding her role in planning the White House Christmas decorations.
“Did Y’ALL watch Melania’s face? Most definitely a contractual partnership,” suspected netizens
Image credits: OC_Scanner
In the leaked audio, recorded by her former friend and advisor Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who is also the author of the book Melania and Me, the first lady told her, “I’m working…my a** off on the Christmas stuff, that you know.”
Melania continued, “Who gives a f**k about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?”
“Okay, and then I do it and I say that I’m working on Christmas and planning for the Christmas… Give me a f**king break.”
In light of this controversy, one critic remarked, “So, now Melania gives a f**k about Christmas and decorations? Pity her taste hasn’t improved. Trump must have upped her Christmas bonus.”
However, not everyone was a conspiracy theorist about her appearance, and some expressed their “gratitude” and “delight” at seeing the couple ring in the spirit of Christmas in the capital.
The National Christmas Tree display runs from December 6 to January 1 and is completely free for visitors
Image credits: DWS News
One supporter chimed in, “Wherever Melania Trump is, the party becomes beautiful… So classy. Beautiful tree! Sorry haters!!”
The lighting event was also marked by a somber moment as the president honored two members of the National Guard who were fatally attacked last week during a patrol near the White House.
One of the guards, Sarah Beckstrom, lost her life in the firearm attack, while the other, surviving Guard member Andrew Wolfe, was critically injured and hospitalized.
Image credits: flotus/Instagram
Honoring both National Guard members, Trump said in his speech “Andrew is getting better. Sarah, unfortunately, is watching from high, watching from heaven. I just want to pay my respects to them, two incredible people, unbelievable people.”
For those planning to visit, the display is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
One social media user joked, “[Melania] smiling? She must be thinking about how close she is to freedom.”
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