On Christmas Eve, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took part in the longstanding tradition conducted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which involves receiving phone calls from children around the United States tracking the progress of Santa Claus on his annual gift delivery route. This year, the first couple participated from their Mar-a-Lago resort located in Palm Beach, Florida, where they are spending the holiday season.
The NORAD Santa Tracker initiative provides a lighthearted platform during the holiday season, and the involvement of the President and First Lady reinforces its visibility. Upon taking calls, Trump engaged enthusiastically with the children, responding to their inquiries ranging from the specifics of Santa's cookie preferences to their personal Christmas wishes.
One memorable exchange occurred when a child from North Carolina asked whether Santa would feel upset if he did not receive any cookies. Trump responded, “I think he won’t get mad, but I think he’ll be very disappointed. You know, Santa, he tends to be a little bit on the cherubic side.” This phrase illustrated a playful characterization of Santa’s amiable and round-cheeked image, adding a warm tone to the dialogue.
The president further injected political undertones during a separate call, humorously clarifying the type of coal children might receive if they were on the naughty list. “Not coal, no you don’t want coal—you mean clean, beautiful coal,” he remarked, echoing his longstanding support for coal as an energy source, which he has previously described in favorable terms despite its environmental conflicts.
In another interaction, Trump complimented two children from Oklahoma, noting with a smile, “Santa loves Oklahoma like I do,” and remarked on the state's strong support for him during the 2020 election cycle. Melania Trump similarly contributed to the calls by asking children about their holiday desires and family life, fostering a congenial atmosphere during the event.
At one point, speaking to reporters nearby, President Trump confessed he could continue the calls indefinitely but acknowledged other pressing matters required his attention, notably referencing international relations concerning Russia, China, and Ukraine. Despite this, he maintained a cheerful demeanor, commenting, “This is fun, right? This is America.”
According to NORAD, at the time of reporting, Santa Claus was en route to King Edward Point on South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, having recently crossed over Salvador, Brazil, and was noted to have delivered upwards of 4 billion presents worldwide.
The NORAD Santa Tracker event has become a symbolic holiday tradition that presents presidents with an opportunity to adopt a personable and festive tone. For Trump, this moment dovetails with his broader emphasis on Christmas as an integral element of his cultural framing. In public remarks throughout 2023, Trump has asserted that he has restored the use of the traditional greeting “Merry Christmas,” reclaiming it from being viewed as politically sensitive, which aligns with the nostalgic yet politically infused nature of his NORAD interaction.
This cheerful exchange happens amidst an economic context where many American households face challenges affording holiday gifts. Polling data indicates nearly half of U.S. families struggle with gift affordability—a situation that Trump's supporters attribute in part to inflationary trends and policy impacts. The event and the president's engagement, therefore, contrast with the economic pressures many experience during the festive season.