BREAKING: President Donald Trump made headlines this Christmas Eve by playfully telling a child that coal is “beautiful” during a festive call with NORAD to track Santa Claus. The lighthearted moment, which took place at Mar-a-Lago, highlights an unexpected twist to the traditional holiday call, as Trump jokingly embraced coal, a symbol of being “naughty” in Christmas lore.
In a live broadcast on C-SPAN, Trump asked young Amelia from Kansas, “What would you like Santa to bring?” When she replied, “Not coal,” Trump chuckled, “Not coal? No, you don’t want coal … You mean, clean beautiful coal. I had to do that, I’m sorry. Coal is clean and beautiful, please remember that—at all costs.”
This year marks a continuation of a 70-year tradition where NORAD takes calls from children eager to track Santa’s journey. Trump joined the calls with First Lady Melania Trump, bringing humor and political banter to the holiday event, despite the children’s likely confusion over his references to political victories.
Trump’s comments about “clean beautiful coal” align with his ongoing advocacy for the fossil fuel industry, promoting increased energy production and lower prices. In a humorous exchange with a 5-year-old from Pennsylvania, Trump proudly declared, “We won Pennsylvania, actually three times,” referencing his narrow victory in the 2024 election against then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump secured the state with a mere 312 votes and 49.8% of the popular vote, a stark contrast to his previous defeats there.
In another memorable moment, when a child from North Carolina asked if Santa would be upset about missing cookies, Trump replied, “I think he won’t get mad, but he’ll be very disappointed.” He humorously added, “Santa tends to be a little bit on the cherubic side… I think Santa has a serious appetite.”
Social media quickly lit up as clips of Trump’s interactions went viral, particularly his compliments to a young girl, declaring she sounded “so beautiful and cute,” and noted her intelligence. The calls also touched on the more serious topic of NORAD’s mission, with Trump explaining, “We want to make sure that Santa is being good—that Santa is a very good person.”
As the holiday spirit filled the air, the calls served as a reminder of Trump’s unique approach to tradition, blending festive cheer with his characteristic political flair. With more than 605,000 deportations reported since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Trump’s remarks on Santa also underscored his ongoing focus on national security, humorously referring to “bad Santa” infiltrations.
What’s Next: As the holiday season continues, more updates are expected from Trump’s team, while the nation reflects on the unique blend of politics and holiday spirit showcased during these NORAD calls.
