The First Lady received the 25-foot concolor fir at the North Portico as the U.S. Marine Band played holiday classics, marking the official start of the season at the White House.
First Lady Melania Trump officially welcomed the 2025 White House Christmas Tree on Monday afternoon, continuing one of the longest-running holiday traditions at the presidential residence.
A video posted on X by Margo Martin, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Communications, shows Melania inspecting the tree as the U.S. Marine Band plays festive music. Wearing a cream-colored coat paired with red gloves, the First Lady circled the tree — delivered on a horse-drawn wagon — and briefly greeted the drivers before it was carried inside.
The concolor fir, standing 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall, comes from Korson’s Tree Farms in Michigan. It was selected by the National Christmas Tree Association, which has supplied the White House tree since 1961. The tree will be installed in the Blue Room, where it will serve as the centerpiece of this year’s holiday décor.
During Trump’s first term, Melania earned both praise and critique for her elaborate Christmas themes, including “The Spirit of America” and “America the Beautiful.” This year’s arrival comes as the White House navigates various construction projects, including ballroom renovations, but officials say holiday programming will proceed as planned.
A FESTIVE SCENE AT THE NORTH PORTICO
The 22-second video posted by Martin shows the tree arriving horizontally on a green wagon decorated with red ribbons and “Christmas Tree” signage. The United States Marine Band, dressed in their red ceremonial uniforms, performed “O Christmas Tree” as Melania approached the fir, touched its branches, and inspected its symmetry.
The First Lady has leaned into traditional touches this year — including the horse-drawn delivery, one of the ceremony’s most photographed elements.
Although Barron Trump, the couple’s son, participated in tree arrivals during Trump’s first term, he did not appear at this event.
The Christmas Tree arrival kicks off a week of holiday activity at the White House, including the Presidential Turkey Pardon on Tuesday and the unveiling of full holiday decorations in early December, followed by public tours throughout the month.
