Online critics are unimpressed with First Lady Jill Biden’s Christmas decorations at the White House this year.
The Christmas decor was unveiled the morning after President Joe Biden made the bombshell announcement that he is pardoning his son Hunter, 54, just before heading to Africa for an official trip to Angola.
The theme of Dr. Biden around 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 format “tacky.”
‘The White House Christmas decorations have a Circus theme. How fitting,” Abigail Jackson, communications director for Senator Josh Hawley, wrote on X.
The official White House Christmas tree in the blue room was difficult to see this year, as the actual fir tree was hidden behind a carousel of fake animals.
There was also what looked like a maypole in the shape of a circus tent hanging from the top of the tree.
Another room had a multi-colored ribbon that replaced the curtains on the windows and looked like the entrance to a nice house.
The first lady held a reception with National Guard families on Monday after the awards were unveiled.
Social media users ripped down First Lady Jill Biden’s Christmas decorations for her and Joe Biden’s final holiday at the White House, likening her decor to a “circus”
Jill Biden spoke to National Guard families at the White House after unveiling her awards. Here she 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 has changed about the Hunter pardon?” a reporter shouted at the first lady.
“Of course I support my son’s pardon,” she replied into a dead mic.
Jill then delivered her Christmas message to the nation, thanking the at least 300 volunteers who helped decorate the White House.
Reporters were given 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 by the grand finale for the Biden administration.
“What has Sister Jill done to our White House? My God,” wrote Donald Trump’s Rapid Response Director Jake Schneider.
“The White House is a circus so I think these are appropriate Christmas decorations…” wrote one social media user with a clown emoji.
Another user said: ‘As usual, fake ‘Dr.’ Jill did a terrible job with the White House “holiday decorations.” It did have a fitting circus theme for the clown resident.’
Multicolored ribbon hung around the doors and windows of the White House
The official White House Christmas tree was hidden behind a carousel of animals such as a reindeer, fox, penguin, duck and more, and a ribbon was hung from the top to mimic the look of a circus tent. Carnival music played during the visitors made its way through the decorations
Senator Josh Hawley’s communications director compared the White House Christmas decor to a ‘circus’
Other aspects of the White House Christmas decor were more traditional, with twinkling lights, trees and streamers lining the hallways
Just hours after images emerged of the White House decked out in holiday decor, Dr. Biden remarks to National Guard families while surrounded by children from those families.
“It has been the honor of our lifetimes to serve as your President and First Lady,” the Bidens wrote in a joint statement in the commemorative guide to the 2024 White House decorations.
“Our hope is that the nation will be blessed with the peace and light of the holidays.”
In a sentimental tone, they continued, “Every year during the holidays, Americans come together in community and faith, reminding us that we are stronger as a community than we are apart. The strength of our country and the soul of our nation come from you.”
This year, the first lady’s White House decorations included 83 Christmas trees and 165,075 Christmas lights.
There is 3,000 meters of ribbon throughout the property and more than 28,125 ornaments.
As every year, the exterior of the White House was decorated with more than a dozen wreaths with red bows in each front window, as well as the top of the north overhang of the lawn.
The replica of the White House gingerbread house 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