Donald Trump recently rekindled interest on social media by sharing an old 2018 White House Christmas picture on Truth Social instead of a new current family photo. The photo, featuring himself and his wife Melania Trump from their holiday celebrations six years ago, was particularly notable as Melania was missing from the current Christmas festivities at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump accompanied the reused picture with the message, “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!” This was a marked shift from his contentious 2023 Christmas message in which he wished government “thugs” to “rot in hell.” The 2023 message included a rant against various perceived threats and enemies including Joe Biden, special prosecutor Jack Smith, and various world leaders and domestic issues, amidst his own legal troubles.
In his 2023 message, Trump said: “Included also are World Leaders, both good and bad, but none of which are as evil and “sick” as the THUGS we have inside our Country who, with their Open Borders, INFLATION, Afghanistan Surrender, Green New Scam, High Taxes, No Energy Independence, Woke Military, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Iran, All Electric Car Lunacy, and so much more, are looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
Once the 2024 photograph was identified on social media as the couple’s official Christmas portrait from 2018, speculation about Melania Trump’s current public role and her relationship with her husband began again. Her absence from recent campaign events, public appearances, and the family’s 2023 Christmas photo at Mar-a-Lago was particularly conspicuous.
Comments on social media about the reused photo included one user saying, “Nice try, bro. That photo is from 2018. #WheresMelania.” The old photo was shared as a Christmas card.
Alongside the recycled photo, a pre-recorded video message from Donald and Melania Trump was shared, paying tribute to Christianity and thanking Americans who protect the country’s safety. The use of the old photo with the video message further intensified public curiosity about Melania Trump’s current involvement in her husband’s political activities.
While Trump was publicly present at the Christmas dinner at Mar-a-Lago, the absence of Melania Trump was noted by both media outlets and social media commentators.
During the same period, The Trump Organization was promoting holiday merchandise through its online store, selling MAGA-themed Christmas items such as teddy bears, hat ornaments, and Trump gold wrapping paper.
Other members of the Trump family were active on social media during the holiday. Donald Trump Jr. shared a computer-generated meme of his father as Santa Claus at the border with a caption supporting deportation. Vice President-elect JD Vance shared a video of himself baking cookies with his daughter.
The Trump family is spending the holiday season at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, where the former president has been managing his activities since his November election victory.
Meanwhile, outgoing President Joe Biden delivered his final holiday message as president, emphasizing the themes of “dignity and decency” as his administration prepares for transition.
