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“They Look So Miserable”: Melania And Donald Trump’s Christmas Card Draws Brutal Backlash Online
Donald Trump and Melania Trump in formal attire posing for Christmas card with festive lights and flags in background.
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“They Look So Miserable”: Melania And Donald Trump’s Christmas Card Draws Brutal Backlash Online

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A not-so-jolly presidential Christmas card has given the internet plenty to talk about.

Donald and Melania Trump sparked comparisons to the Grinch after appearing somber in the White House’s official Christmas portrait.

The couple stared straight into the camera as they held hands in a room decorated with Christmas trees and warm lights.

Highlights
  • Donald and Melania Trump were slammed over their "somber" 2025 Christmas card.
  • The image showed the couple looking serious against a festive backdrop as they held hands.
  • The White House hosted 29 Christmas parties, with decorations featuring 10,000 butterflies and 120 pounds of gingerbread.

For the festive shot, the US president wore a classic tuxedo, while the former model donned a long black dress.

RELATED:

    Donald and Melania Trump standing together holding hands with an American flag visible in the background.

    Image credits: The White House

    “Merry Christmas from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump,” the White House wrote alongside the portrait on December 23.

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    Many observers said the First Couple appeared to be at another, far less cheerful event.

    “They look like they’re going to a funeral,” one person remarked.

    “How utterly depressing,” agreed someone else, while another suggested the couple looked “so miserable.”

    Donald Trump and Melania Trump posing together at a formal event, relating to Christmas card backlash online.

    Image credits: The White House

    “Aren’t they supposed to be smiling?” asked an additional user.

    “What a somber looking Christmas card, do they know each other?” read another comment.

    Supporters argued that the couple looked determined, while others said their serious expressions were appropriate for the formal context of an official White House photo.

    Donald and Melania Trump in formal attire posing for Christmas card with holiday decor and flags in background.

    Image credits: The White House/Instagram

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    Comment on social media post criticizing Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card, calling them miserable and comparing to a funeral.

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    Facebook comment reading they look so miserable, reacting to Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card online.

    They will spend the holidays at the president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

    The portrait comes after the White House shared an altered version of the poster for the 2000 movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

    In the image, the Grinch appears holding handcuffs instead of an ornament, while law enforcement officers are seen detaining someone. The film’s title is changed to How the Illegals Stole Healthcare.

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    “Cc: Democrats. Hate, hate, hate. Double hate. Loathe entirely,” the White House captioned the picture.

    Melania and Donald Trump standing in a decorated hallway with Christmas trees in a holiday card scene.

    Image credits: The White House

    During his final public address of the year, Trump said the US is “respected again” globally, declaring, “Our country is back, stronger than ever before.”

    According to the county’s commerce department, the US economy surged over the summer, with GDP (gross domestic product) rising by 4.3% over the third quarter, far higher than expected.

    Inflation in the country has increased since April, reaching 3% in September before declining to 2.7% in November.

    The White House’s official Christmas tree traveled 650 miles (1,050 km) to Washington, D.C.

    Melania Trump in a dark outfit decorating a Christmas tree, part of a controversial Melania and Donald Trump Christmas card.

    Image credits: flotus/Instagram

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    In late November, Melania welcomed the official Christmas tree, which came from Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney, Michigan, and made a 650-mile (1,050 km) journey to the White House.

    The Christmas decorations were designed under Melania’s direction, according to a press release from the First Lady’s office.

    This year, she chose a “Home Is Where the Heart Is” theme, featuring 120 pounds (54 kg) of gingerbread decorations.

    Melania and Donald Trump standing at a podium during a public event amid Christmas decorations and nighttime lighting

    Image credits: Fox News

    Comment on social media post reacting to Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card, mentioning Addams Family comparison.

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    Facebook comment criticizing Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card for lack of smiles, reflecting miserable appearance backlash online.

    Holiday decorations have previously been a source of controversy for Melania. In 2020, her former senior advisor, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, released secretly recorded audio of the First Lady lamenting having to organize the festive décor.

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    Donald Trump smiling inside Oval Office, signing a book with U.S. Navy flag in the background, related to Christmas card reaction.

    Image credits: The White House

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    “I’m working … my a** off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a f**k about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?” Melania could be heard saying.

    OK, and then I do it and I say that I’m working on Christmas and planning for Christmas and they said, ‘Oh, what about the children that were separated?’ Give me a f****ng break.”

    The First Lady recently announced a documentary titled Melania, which will premiere in theatres on January 30.

    The 104-minute film focuses on the 20 days leading up to her husband’s inauguration in January 2025.

    Donald Trump in a crowd, with people taking photos and capturing the moment during a public event.

    Image credits: PBS NewsHour

    Amazon reportedly spent $40 million for the rights to the documentary, outbidding rival streaming giants such as Disney, Netflix, and Paramount.

    “Witness history in the making” is the film’s tagline. It promises to capture “critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments.”

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    The trailer shows the president as his wife assists him on camera. “My proudest legacy will be that of peacemaker,” he says before Melania adds, “Peacemaker and unifier.”

    “Everyone wants to know, so here it is,” the First Lady says later in the trailer.

    She also announced the launch of her own production company, suggesting further plans to move beyond her under-the-radar profile.

    “Did anyone tell them they were taking a Christmas picture?” one reader quipped

    Comment by Billy Powell criticizing Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card, mentioning a Hamburgler hat and expressing dissatisfaction.

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    Comment reading they look so serious, they forgot to smile, reacting to Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card online.

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    Melania and Donald Trump with somber expressions in their Christmas card drawing backlash online.

    Screenshot of social media comment describing Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card body language as miserable and unhappy.

    Facebook comment by Andrew Pearson criticizing Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card for looking stiff and miserable.

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    Comment on Melania and Donald Trump’s Christmas card expressing how miserable they look, sparking online backlash.

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    Comment on Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card expressing they look miserable and unhappy in the online backlash.

    Comment reading This looks very bland and angry, reacting to Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card backlash online.

    Comment by Chery McLemore expressing that Melania Trump looks miserable and longing to be elsewhere in the Christmas card.

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    Comment on a social media post questioning if people are auditioning for Gomez and Morticia from the Christmas card backlash.

    User comment screenshot showing sarcastic remark about renaming Christmas to Merry Trumpmas, part of backlash on Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card.

    Comment from Dori Green reading Smile. This is not a mug shot, reacting to Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card backlash.

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    Comment on Melania and Donald Trump’s Christmas card expressing disbelief about their photo’s mood.

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    Comment on a social media post questioning non-interlaced fingers on a handhold between spouses, with thinking emojis.

    Comment on social media criticizing Melania and Donald Trump's Christmas card, calling it a nice picture if you're a villain.

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    Poll Question

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    Read more »

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    Read less »
    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    What do you think ?
    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, don’t compare them to Gomez and Morticia Addams! There is NO comparison. Gomez and Morticia truly love each other, and their children, and the rest of their family. They have a HAPPY marriage. Their Christmas might be done in Halloween colors, but it’ll still be one hell of a fun party! Nah, lunatic Fat Donald and his Botoxed Stepford Wife look more like an AI image, where someone forgot to tell AI it’s a Christmas picture and not a funeral picture of a deceased couple.

    Ms.GB
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd look depressed too if I was married to a narcissist.

    Load More Replies...
    Mavis
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trumps Christmas message "Merry Christmas to all the Haters and Loosers and radical left Lunatics who tried to ban Christmas, but thanks to me, Donald J Trump the GREATEST PRESIDENT EVER, we can now say 'Merry Christmas' again, they tried to ban it but I said NO WAY JOSE! not on my watch! Jesus would be proud of the "work" Ive done to get his name back in schools , courtrooms, church and the oval Office. jesus might even thank Me personally if he was still around. he'd say THANY YOU President Trump for all you have done for this great bation of ours the USA. God bless all my fans, signed Donald J Trump".

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "And get tickets for Melanie's movie before they're SOLD OUT! It was directed by the GREAT Brett Ratner, who was unfairly persecuted, LIKE ME AND MANY OTHERS!! People are saying it should win an Oscar, but it won't because the CROOKED DEMOCRATS control Hollywood! Merry Christmas to the REAL Americans!"

    Load More Replies...
    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To all on Bored Panda. Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas, or whatever you prefer. Here the Winter solstice is over and the days are inching their way ,very slowly, to Spring. Best wishes to all of you, take care, be nice x

    megabeth
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was sweet Serena! Cheers to you and yours!

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, don’t compare them to Gomez and Morticia Addams! There is NO comparison. Gomez and Morticia truly love each other, and their children, and the rest of their family. They have a HAPPY marriage. Their Christmas might be done in Halloween colors, but it’ll still be one hell of a fun party! Nah, lunatic Fat Donald and his Botoxed Stepford Wife look more like an AI image, where someone forgot to tell AI it’s a Christmas picture and not a funeral picture of a deceased couple.

    Ms.GB
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd look depressed too if I was married to a narcissist.

    Load More Replies...
    Mavis
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trumps Christmas message "Merry Christmas to all the Haters and Loosers and radical left Lunatics who tried to ban Christmas, but thanks to me, Donald J Trump the GREATEST PRESIDENT EVER, we can now say 'Merry Christmas' again, they tried to ban it but I said NO WAY JOSE! not on my watch! Jesus would be proud of the "work" Ive done to get his name back in schools , courtrooms, church and the oval Office. jesus might even thank Me personally if he was still around. he'd say THANY YOU President Trump for all you have done for this great bation of ours the USA. God bless all my fans, signed Donald J Trump".

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "And get tickets for Melanie's movie before they're SOLD OUT! It was directed by the GREAT Brett Ratner, who was unfairly persecuted, LIKE ME AND MANY OTHERS!! People are saying it should win an Oscar, but it won't because the CROOKED DEMOCRATS control Hollywood! Merry Christmas to the REAL Americans!"

    Load More Replies...
    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To all on Bored Panda. Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas, or whatever you prefer. Here the Winter solstice is over and the days are inching their way ,very slowly, to Spring. Best wishes to all of you, take care, be nice x

    megabeth
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was sweet Serena! Cheers to you and yours!

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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