President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump continued a cherished American tradition on Christmas Eve, participating in the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker hotline from their Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The annual event, which connects military personnel and public figures with children across the nation eager to track Santa’s progress around the globe, saw the first couple fielding calls from youngsters sharing their Christmas wishes and questions about the jolly gift-giver’s journey.
During one exchange, a child expressed interest in receiving a Kindle electronic reader for Christmas. The president responded with characteristic enthusiasm, telling the young caller, “That’s pretty good. You must be a high-IQ person. We need more high-IQ people in the country.”
The conversations reflected the lighthearted nature of the holiday tradition. When an eight-year-old girl from North Carolina expressed concern about whether Santa would be upset if she failed to leave cookies, Trump offered reassurance with a touch of humor. “I think he won’t get mad, but I think he’ll be very disappointed,” the president said, adding that “Santa tends to be a little on the cherubic side.”
In what became one of the evening’s more notable exchanges, a child from Kansas told the president that coal was not on the Christmas wish list. Trump seized the moment to inject his policy perspective into the holiday conversation. “Not coal. No, you don’t want coal. You mean clean, beautiful coal. I had to do that, I’m sorry,” he said, before continuing, “No, coal is clean and beautiful. Please remember that at all costs.”
The president has consistently promoted coal as an energy source throughout his administration, frequently describing it in such terms as part of his broader energy policy agenda.
The NORAD Santa Tracker program has served as an American institution for decades, originating from a misprint in a 1955 advertisement that directed children to call what turned out to be the Continental Air Defense Command. The tradition has continued ever since, with NORAD volunteers answering thousands of calls from children each Christmas Eve.
First Lady Melania Trump also participated in the calls, speaking with several children about their holiday preparations and Christmas morning expectations. The couple’s involvement in the program marks another instance of presidential participation in this uniquely American custom, which has seen occupants of the White House join in the festivities across multiple administrations.
The event underscores the enduring appeal of such traditions in American life, where technology and military readiness intersect with childhood wonder and holiday spirit. For one evening each year, the serious business of national defense takes a cheerful turn as personnel help maintain the magic of Christmas for millions of American children.
Related: Prospective Citizens from High-Risk Countries Face Indefinite Delays Under New Security Review
