From his Florida home, Donald Trump took part in the annual NORAD Santa-tracking calls, a holiday tradition meant to delight children across the country.
The calls connected kids from different states to the president as military officials tracked Santa’s route around the world. Trump sat in a decorated room at his Palm Beach residence, dressed formally as the calls came in.
“I am fine. You sound beautiful and cute. How old are you?” Trump asked one child.
Trump: I am fine. You sound beautiful and cute. How old are you?
Caller: I am eight pic.twitter.com/fm3rGty3xl
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 24, 2025
The mood shifted fast. The comment felt off. Online, people called it gross.
JFC. Read the room, old man.
— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) December 24, 2025
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Why do they let him speak to children?
It’s cringe 😬
— Kade (@kademeta) December 25, 2025
Sir, she’s eight. Even your hair knows that’s off-limits.
— Doran (@doranmaul) December 24, 2025
he knows his target audience
— Gator (@gatormetaX) December 25, 2025
Epstein’s memory and mission lives on.
— Dwayne (@CtrlAltDwayne) December 25, 2025
eight? 😭
— Pauluz (@PauluzRFRM) December 25, 2025
The call moved on, but the tone lingered.
As more children came through, Trump offered reassurance. He told them Santa was good. He said Santa would reach their homes soon. He joked about cookies and coal, trying to keep things playful.
Still, familiar themes crept in.
Trump told one child that his team had checked to make sure a “bad Santa” was not entering the country. He framed it as a joke, but the language echoed his usual talking points, even in a holiday setting.
Between calls, Trump spoke to reporters in the room. He commented on the décor, the ceiling, and the space around him. When the line went quiet, he filled the silence with remarks about states and elections.
Nearby, Melania Trump handled her own calls. Her voice stayed calm and focused. She encouraged children to go to sleep so Santa could arrive. She did not join the side commentary.
Trump pointed this out himself.
He joked that the first lady was not listening to his calls and said she could focus better that way. She stayed on the phone, facing away.
Military officials continued giving Santa’s location. Trump passed along the updates, telling children when Santa would reach their homes. Some children worried about coal. Trump joked again, then moved on.
As the calls wrapped up, Trump said he could do this all day. He then listed other matters waiting for him, including world affairs. The holiday mood faded quickly.
Featured image via X screengrab
