White House Christmas display reduced due to ballroom renovations

US First Lady Melania Trump presented this year's White House Christmas decorations on Monday, showcasing a more compact setup following President Donald Trump's demolition of part of the historic building to build a new ballroom. The 55-year-old chose the theme "Home is Where the Heart Is", despite spending limited time in Washington, favoring New York and Florida instead.

The festive display featured a giant Lego portrait of President Trump, a massive gingerbread White House, thousands of decorative butterflies, and over 50 Christmas trees, marking the first holiday season of his second term. "Home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings," Melania Trump stated in a White House release.

This year, the decorations occupy less space than usual. In previous years, the most elaborate arrangements were in the East Wing, where the First Ladys offices are located and visitors entered for holiday events. That section has now been largely demolished to make room for Trumps $300 million ballroom, with workers completing the removal of the final bricks on Monday, according to AFP photographers.

Consequently, all decorations are now displayed in the main residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The centerpiece is an 18-foot (5.5-meter) concolor fir from Michigan, placed in the White House Blue Room, adorned with gold stars honoring families of fallen US service members. Other decorations include red, white, and blue accents celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, as well as ornaments supporting Melania Trump's Be Best initiative.

The First Ladys festive setup was described as dazzling despite the reduced space caused by renovations. Meanwhile, President Trump appeared unhurried about celebrating his final Christmas in the White House during his second term, which runs until 2029. "We have a little more than three years left, and three years for Trump is an eternity," he remarked to guests at a holiday gathering, according to a video released by the White House.

Author: Sophia Brooks