Melania Trump checks out her final Christmas decorations at the White House. Photo / Twitter
Melania Trump checks out her final Christmas decorations at the White House. Photo / Twitter
US First Lady Melania Trump has unveiled her "America the Beautiful" Christmas display at the White House less than two months after she was secretly taped complaining about the job.
Taking to Twitter on Monday, FLOTUS posted a video and series of pictures of her interior decoration scheme showing a number of ornately decorated trees lit up for Christmas.
She strolled through the halls wearing a gold blouse and high-waisted black skirt, past decorations that included a model train, mini Air Force One and some made by schoolchildren from across the US.
During this special time of the year, I am delighted to share “America the Beautiful” and pay tribute to the majesty of our great Nation. Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home. #WHChristmaspic.twitter.com/fdZmB3rdXL
"During this special time of the year, I am delighted to share 'America the Beautiful' and pay tribute to the majesty of our great Nation," she wrote on Instagram.
"Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home."
In a press statement, Trump said she had relished the chance to see the US over the last four years.
"From coast to coast, the bond that all American's share is an appreciation for our traditions, values, and history, which were the inspiration behind the decorations this year. Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who worked to make sure the People's House was ready for the holiday season. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year."
The decorations proved as divisive as the Trumps themselves, with one social media user saying "This should distract people while you pack up the White House flatware and start listing it on eBay."
"When does this account transfer over to Dr Jill Biden?" asked another, while yet another said "get out of our house".
But others praised the classy decorations, saying "This one is pretty. Your decorator did well here" and "this actually looks nice" in comments.
The viewing comes after she was heard complaining about the job in secret tapes released by her former friend and staffer, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.
The tapes were released as Wolkoff promoted her memoir and appeared to show Melania complaining about the Christmas job in June 2018 after visiting an immigration detention centre in Texas.
S President Donald Trump pardons Thanksgiving turkey "Corn" as First Lady Melania Trump watches. Photo / AP
"They say I'm complicit. I'm the same like [President Trump], I support him, I don't say enough. I don't do enough," she said.
"I'm working like a – my a** off – at Christmas stuff that you know, who gives a f*** about Christmas stuff and decoration? But I need to do it, right?
"OK, and then I do it. And I say that I'm working on Christmas planning for the Christmas. And they said, "Oh, what about the children that they were separated?"
"Give me a f***ing break. Where they were saying anything when Obama did that?" she reportedly said.
Melania Trump stands next to the 2020 official White House Christmas tree after it arrived at the White House in Washington on November 23. Photo / AP
Perhaps that explains the blood-red, "murderous" looking Christmas trees the First Lady commissioned in 2018, that social media users said looked like something straight out of The Shining or The Handmaid's Tale.
Christmas celebrations will be overshadowed in the US this year by the raging coronavirus pandemic that is out of control across the country.
The President has also refused to officially concede the election result to Democrat Joe Biden and continues to claim it was rigged.
In November Melania beamed as she took delivery of the epic 18-foot annual White House Christmas tree – this time without her husband or son by her side.
