URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump made headlines during a Christmas Eve call with children tracking Santa Claus through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), humorously declaring coal to be “beautiful.” The unexpected remarks occurred at Mar-a-Lago as Trump participated in the beloved holiday tradition, engaging with young callers live on C-SPAN.
In a light-hearted exchange with Amelia, a child from Kansas, Trump asked, “What would you like Santa to bring?” When Amelia replied, “Not coal,” Trump quipped back, “No, you don’t want coal … You mean, clean beautiful coal.” His comments sparked laughter but also highlighted his ongoing advocacy for fossil fuels and energy production.
Every year since 1955, NORAD has taken calls from children eager to track Santa’s journey. This year, Trump joined First Lady Melania in answering calls, marking a significant moment in a tradition cherished by families across the nation.
The president didn’t shy away from promoting his political achievements during the calls, often referencing his victories in battleground states. After speaking with a 5-year-old from Pennsylvania, Trump confidently stated, “Pennsylvania is great, we won Pennsylvania, actually three times,” referencing his narrow victory there in the November 2024 election. He won the state by just 312 votes, securing 49.8 percent of the popular vote against then-Vice President Kamala Harris‘ 48.3 percent.
During another call with a child from North Carolina, Trump addressed a question about Santa’s cookie preferences. He reassured the child that Santa “won’t get mad” if cookies were absent but would be “very disappointed,” humorously commenting on Santa’s “serious appetite.”
These festive interactions quickly went viral on social media, especially when Trump called an eight-year-old girl “so beautiful and cute,” further endearing himself to viewers. He also explained the NORAD Santa tracking system, stating, “We want to make sure that Santa is being good—that Santa is a very good person.”
Amid the holiday cheer, Trump’s calls echoed deeper themes from his presidency. The White House reported that since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, over 605,000 people have been deported from the U.S., with an additional 1.9 million self-deporting.
As the Christmas Eve calls concluded, Trump’s blend of humor and political references left a lasting impression, reminding families of the intersection between holiday joy and current events. With millions tuning in, these calls not only celebrate a cherished tradition but also spotlight the ongoing political narratives shaping the nation today.
Stay tuned for further updates on how these interactions impact public sentiment as the holiday season progresses.
