President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump led the National Christmas Tree lighting on the Ellipse this week in a scene that should remind the country what public service and tradition look like. The ceremony drew a festive crowd and returned a sense of normalcy and reverence to a ritual that belongs to every American, not just the elites in a media bubble.
The lighting was staged on December 4 and will be presented for viewers nationwide on Great American Family on December 5, preserving the event for families who cannot attend in person. That the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service coordinated the ceremony underscores that patriotic civic institutions remain committed to keeping holiday traditions alive.
This year’s tree, a 35-foot red spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia, stood proudly on the Ellipse as performances filled the night with music and joy. Entertainers ranged from the Beach Boys to country and Christian artists, creating a soundtrack that honored faith, family, and American culture.
Conservatives should welcome the return of a White House that celebrates Christmas openly and unapologetically. For too long the left and its cultural institutions have tried to privatize our public rituals or strip them of their meaning; seeing the president and first lady lead this moment was a powerful rebuke to that hollow secularism.
Mainstream outlets predictably tried to spin and rank the event rather than report on it, but viewers had options: networks and conservative-friendly platforms carried live coverage while Great American Family will air the full special. The American people are proving they prefer honest celebration over condescending commentary from coastal elites.
First Lady Melania Trump’s visible role in welcoming the official White House tree earlier this month set the tone for the season and showcased tasteful, traditional decorations that reflect family and home. Her involvement in these ceremonies reminds citizens that the presidency can project dignity and warmth at the same time.
This tree lighting was more than spectacle; it was a declaration that American customs, faith, and family are still central to our national identity. Let every citizen take heart: when leaders embrace our traditions, the country is stronger, our communities are healthier, and our holidays belong to the people again.
