First Lady Melania Trump unveils a smaller White House Christmas display as the East Wing is demolished for a new $300 million ballroom.
WASHINGTON: First Lady Melania Trump unveiled this year’s White House Christmas decorations on Monday in a reduced space.
The display is smaller because President Donald Trump demolished part of the historic building for a new ballroom.
This year’s theme is “Home is Where the Heart Is,” chosen by the first lady.
Decorations include a giant Lego portrait of the president, a huge gingerbread White House, thousands of decorative butterflies, and more than 50 Christmas trees.
“Home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings,” Melania Trump said in a statement.
Traditionally, many dramatic displays were housed in the East Wing, which also contained the first lady’s offices.
The East Wing has now been reduced to rubble to make way for Donald Trump’s $300 million ballroom.
Workers were seen knocking down some of the final bricks on Monday.
All Christmas decorations this year are confined to the main mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The centrepiece is an 18-foot concolor fir from Michigan in the White House Blue Room.
The tree features gold stars to commemorate the families of fallen US service members.
Decorations include red, white, and blue accents for next year’s 250th anniversary of American independence.
Baubles also highlight Melania Trump’s “Be Best” education initiative.
President Trump indicated he is in no hurry to celebrate his last Christmas in the White House.
His second term is due to end in 2029.
“We have a little more than three years left, and three years for Trump is an eternity,” he told guests at a Christmas party.
