The official 2025 Christmas portrait of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump has ignited a flurry of commentary for its stark departure from typical festive cheer. Released by the White House on December 24, the photograph shows the couple looking solemn in matching black formal wear, a contrast to the expected smiles of the season.
A Portrait of Seriousness
Surrounded by deep green foliage, the First Lady and President held hands while posing with notably serious expressions. The image was captioned simply, "Merry Christmas from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump." The sombre tone prompted immediate reaction online, with one critic remarking they looked as if "they’re going to a funeral."
Some supporters have framed their demeanour as one of determination. However, the timing of the photo's release is notable, coming shortly after a legal setback for the administration. The US Supreme Court rejected President Trump's plan to immediately deploy the National Guard to Chicago to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This marked a rare judicial defeat for Trump during his second term.
Economic Clouds and Silver Linings
The comparison to The Grinch extended beyond the Christmas card. California's Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, recently labelled Trump "The Grinch in Chief," arguing that high tariffs on imported goods have increased gift prices by an estimated 26%. The Toy Association notes that games and toys are especially affected, as most sold in the US are manufactured in China.
The administration's tariff policy on Chinese goods has been volatile this year, with rates starting at an additional 10%, peaking at 145%, and settling at 47%. Despite this, the President has significant economic positives to highlight. The US economy outperformed expectations with a huge 4.3% growth rate in the third quarter of 2025. Furthermore, inflation was lower than many economists forecast, coming in at 2.7% against predictions of over 3%.
Festive Fatigue and Future Projects
The couple's subdued expressions may also reflect a busy end to the year. Before departing for the Christmas holiday at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the Trumps hosted 29 Christmas parties at the White House. Meanwhile, Melania Trump is stepping into the spotlight with a new documentary. Titled "Melania," the 104-minute film debuted its trailer around the same time as the Christmas portrait and is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 30. It chronicles the 20 days leading up to her husband's inauguration in January 2025.
In his year-end address last week, President Trump struck a more triumphant note, declaring America is "respected again" and "back, stronger than ever before." The juxtaposition of this confident message with the unusually grave Christmas portrait has left the public and pundits alike debating the true mood of the First Family as the year closes.
