URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump made headlines this Christmas Eve by jokingly declaring coal as “beautiful” during a call with a child as part of the annual NORAD Santa tracking event. The call, which took place at Mar-a-Lago, has quickly gone viral, raising eyebrows and eliciting laughter across social media.
During the call with 8-year-old Amelia from Kansas, Trump playfully defied the traditional notion of coal being a sign of naughty behavior, asking, “What would you like Santa to bring?” When Amelia replied, “Not coal,” Trump humorously responded, “No, you don’t want coal… You mean, clean beautiful coal. I had to do that, I’m sorry.” His light-hearted remarks about coal tied back to his ongoing push for fossil fuels, emphasizing “clean and beautiful” energy.
Every year since 1955, NORAD has engaged children in tracking Santa’s global journey. This year, the tradition continued with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump making calls broadcast live on C-SPAN. Amidst the festive spirit, Trump also took the opportunity to tout his political victories, including comments about winning Pennsylvania in the 2024 Election. In a notable moment, he declared, “Pennsylvania is great, we won Pennsylvania, actually three times,” referencing his narrow victory in the battleground state.
The president’s comments on coal were not the only highlights of the call. When a child from North Carolina asked if Santa would be angry if he found no cookies, Trump reassured her, saying, “I think he won’t get mad, but he’ll be very disappointed.” He encouraged her to leave cookies for Santa, humorously adding, “I think Santa has a serious appetite.”
Trump’s interactions with the children were a mix of humor and political messaging. He explained to one child why NORAD tracks Santa, stating, “We want to make sure that Santa is being good—that Santa is a very good person.” This playful interaction comes in stark contrast to his administration’s policies, where over 605,000 people have been deported since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, with an additional 1.9 million reportedly self-deporting.
As these Christmas Eve calls unfolded, the juxtaposition of festive cheer and political commentary captured the attention of viewers and sparked conversations online. The event, which aims to bring joy to children and families, was infused with Trump’s characteristic humor and political bravado.
With the holiday season in full swing, the NORAD Santa tracking calls continue to be a cherished tradition, fostering excitement and wonder among children everywhere. As Trump engages with young callers, his unique blend of humor and candidness leaves a lasting impression, reminding America of the lighter side of political life during the festive season.
Stay tuned for updates on this story as it continues to develop, and share your thoughts on Trump’s festive remarks!
