UPDATE: In a surprising twist during Christmas Eve calls, President Donald Trump told a young girl that coal is “beautiful,” defying the traditional view of coal as a sign of being naughty. The lighthearted interaction took place at Mar-a-Lago as Trump participated in the annual NORAD tradition of tracking Santa Claus, capturing attention and laughter from those listening in.
Taking calls from children, including Amelia from Kansas, Trump asked, “What would you like Santa to bring?” When Amelia replied, “Not coal,” Trump quipped, “You mean, clean beautiful coal. … Please remember that—at all cost,” eliciting chuckles. His remarks are part of his ongoing push for fossil fuels and energy independence.
The calls, broadcast on C-SPAN, marked Trump’s participation in a tradition that dates back to 1955. Along with First Lady Melania Trump, the president took time to engage with young callers, often infusing humor and political commentary into the conversations.
In one memorable exchange, Trump told a five-year-old from Pennsylvania that he “won Pennsylvania, actually three times,” referring to his narrow victory in the 2024 election against Kamala Harris. Trump secured the state with 312 votes and 49.8 percent of the popular vote, a crucial win in his campaign strategy.
Trump also addressed concerns from a child in North Carolina about whether Santa would be upset if there were no cookies left for him. He reassured the child, saying, “I think he won’t get mad, but he’ll be very disappointed. … I think Santa has a serious appetite.”
The calls have gone viral on social media, with many sharing clips of Trump’s compliments to the children, calling one girl “so beautiful and cute,” and noting her intelligence. His enthusiastic participation highlights a blend of lightheartedness and political messaging that resonated with audiences.
During the calls, Trump explained why NORAD tracks Santa, stating, “We want to make sure that Santa is being good—that Santa is a very good person.” This playful comment, amid serious discussions about immigration policies, reflects the duality of his public persona.
The White House reports a significant impact from Trump’s policies, with over 605,000 people deported since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, alongside another 1.9 million reportedly self-deporting. The contrast between these statistics and the jovial nature of the Christmas calls illustrates the complexities of his presidency.
As these festive calls continue to draw attention, the blend of humor and politics is sure to spark discussion in households across the nation. President Trump’s unique approach during this cherished holiday tradition is a reminder of the ever-present intersection of personal moments and public policy.
Stay tuned for more updates on the ongoing reactions and developments from this year’s NORAD Santa tracking event.
