First Lady Melania Trump faced sharp criticism this week after unveiling her new line of Christmas ornaments, with prices ranging from $75 to $90 each or $465 for a complete set of six. The ornaments were announced on September 25, 2025, as part of what she calls the “250 Collection,” named in honor of America’s upcoming semiquincentennial celebration.
The brass-and-enamel ornaments feature patriotic designs, with three depicting major United States landmarks including the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Mount Rushmore. The remaining three showcase general patriotic imagery. Each ornament bears an engraving of Trump’s signature and includes what the website describes as the option of a unique digital collectible.
According to the product website, orders may require 10 to 12 weeks for shipping, meaning ornaments purchased in late September might not arrive until just before Christmas. Trump indicated in a statement that she was excited to continue this annual holiday tradition with the Celebrating America collection, noting she sought inspiration from the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday and the holiday blessings Americans enjoy.
The timing of the ornament launch has drawn particular scrutiny given current economic conditions. Food prices recently jumped at their fastest monthly rate in nearly three years, with beef and coffee reaching record highs despite President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to reduce prices on his first day in office. The announcement comes as many Americans struggle with rising costs across multiple sectors.
Critics on social media quickly labeled the first lady’s venture as opportunistic profiteering. Multiple users characterized the ornament sales as grifting, with one posting that the couple represents the “griftiest, grifting couple ever” in reference to the $90 ornament prices. Another critic suggested the White House should adopt the slogan asking if people want to buy merchandise.
The ornament announcement sparked particular irony given Trump’s previously recorded comments about holiday decorations. During President Trump’s first term, audio recordings released in 2020 by former friend and aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff captured Trump complaining about Christmas responsibilities. In those recordings, she expressed frustration about working on Christmas arrangements and questioned who cared about such decorations, though she acknowledged needing to fulfill the duties.
Social media users noted the contrast between her previous recorded complaints and her current commercial venture capitalizing on Christmas themes. One critic specifically referenced her earlier dismissive comments about holiday decorations when questioning the authenticity of her current Christmas-focused business endeavor.
The ornament collection represents another in a series of commercial ventures by the first lady during her husband’s presidency. Critics have consistently questioned whether such business activities by a sitting first lady raise ethical concerns about profiting from the position.
Trump’s ornament designs reflect traditional patriotic themes commonly associated with American holiday decorations. The choice to feature iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty aligns with nationalist imagery frequently emphasized during her husband’s political campaigns and presidency.
The extended shipping timeframe has also drawn criticism, as customers ordering the ornaments in late September would receive them just weeks or possibly days before Christmas, limiting their usefulness for holiday decorating throughout the traditional season.
The pricing structure places the ornaments in the luxury gift category, with individual pieces costing more than many families spend on entire sets of holiday decorations. The complete six-ornament collection at $465 represents a significant expense during a period when many American households face financial pressures from inflation and rising costs of essential goods.
This latest commercial venture continues a pattern of Trump family business activities conducted while holding federal positions, raising ongoing questions about the intersection of public service and private profit that have followed the administration throughout both terms in office.
