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3
“Grifting Along Through The Holidays”: Melania Trump’s $90 Ornament Slammed As Tone-Deaf
Melania Trump’s approach to Christmas is once again under scrutiny. This time, critics accused the First Lady of turning the holiday into a cash grab through the release of a $90 brass ornament unveiled alongside the official 2025 decorations.
The product, named the “American Star,” is part of a six-piece collection launched by the First Lady as part of her now-annual foray into holiday merchandising.
Highlights
- Melania Trump’s $90 ornament was labeled “tone-deaf” and “opportunistic” by online critics.
- The backlash drew renewed attention to Melania’s leaked 2018 remarks about Christmas.
- This year’s White House decorations featured patriotic themes, natural-looking trees, children’s toys, and Lego portraits.
It was quickly labeled “tone-deaf” and “opportunistic” by critics who questioned the sincerity of her holiday efforts in the first place.
That skepticism traces back to a now-infamous audio recording from 2018, released in 2020 by former aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.
BP Daily - Your Source for Unbiased Reporting
Melania Trump was labeled “opportunistic” after releasing a $90 brass ornament as part of her holiday merchandising campaign
Image credits: flotus
“I’m working my a*s off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a f*ck about Christmas stuff and decorations?” she said.
At the time, the First Lady expressed exasperation over the difficulties of maintaining a positive and wholesome image while at the same time receiving harsh criticism from her political opponents.
Image credits: flotus
“But I need to do it, right? 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*cking break.”
Image credits: Official White House Photos: Andrea Hanks
Since then, Melania’s attempts at embracing a more welcoming and warm image have been interpreted by some as disingenuous, with netizens pointing out how the traditions clash with what they see as the First Lady’s naturally colder disposition.
Image credits: flotus
In that same vein, Melania’s holiday merch was seen by detractors as a cynical branding exercise that’s “on brand” for a Presidency that has sold everything from sneakers and clothing to limited edition phones and watches.
Image credits: flotus
Priced at $90, the American Star is part of Melania’s new six-piece “250 Collection,” commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Made of brass, adorned in red, white, and blue, and engraved with her signature, the item immediately drew criticism on social media.
“Grifting along through the holidays,” a viewer wrote. “But she hates Christmas!” another said.
The 2025 decorations stand in stark contrast to her earlier displays, which featured single-color abstract trees
Image credits: Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Melania was previously criticized for her taste in Christmas decorations. During her first tenure as First Lady, two of her holiday displays went viral, but for all the wrong reasons.
In 2017, visitors to the White House were greeted by what many described as a “forest of white sticks.”
Photos showed the East Colonnade lined with barren, ghostly white branches illuminated from below, creating a stark, icy atmosphere that struck some as more eerie than festive.
Image credits: gilbertjasono
The following year, Melania doubled down with a display that was similarly panned. This time, the East Colonnade featured blood-red cone-shaped trees with no decorations.
Both displays became instant meme-fodder.
Image credits: Official White House Photos: Andrea Hanks
Comparatively, her 2025 decorations, titled “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” were much more well-received. Viewers praised the simpler, more approachable concept that veered away from abstract shapes and featured natural-looking trees.
This year’s decorations featured natural-looking trees, children’s toys, and patriotic imagery
Image credits: Official White House Photos: Andrea Hanks
As BP Daily previously reported, the 2025 White House decorations were significantly pared down. Due to East Wing renovations, the holiday tour was cut in half, with staff working from temporary quarters and several rooms inaccessible to visitors.
Image credits: Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Despite the limitations, the First Lady’s team filled the accessible space with a more restrained, yet symbol-heavy display. The full layout included 51 Christmas trees, 75 red-bow wreaths, 700 feet of garland, 25,000 feet of ribbon, and a display of 10,000 blue butterflies.
Image credits: Official White House Photos: Andrea Hanks
The Red Room’s butterfly installation drew particular attention, with deep-blue wings scattered across mantles, trees, and furniture. Mixed in were red and navy ornaments stamped with the words “Be Best.”
Image credits: flotus
In the Green Room, classic retro toys were arranged along tables beneath a massive tree, while the Blue Room featured an 18-foot fir decorated with glowing white 3D-printed ornaments, each representing a U.S. state or territory with its official bird and flower.
Image credits: flotus
Elsewhere, visitors found a 20-pound gingerbread replica of the White House, flanked by three crimson trees in the State Dining Room, and Lego portraits of Donald Trump and George Washington displayed prominently.
Image credits: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
But the most unexpected and controversial detail came in the Grand Foyer, where a painting of Donald Trump moments after his 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, was displayed beneath three small floral arrangements.
Musical performances throughout the tour were provided by the U.S. Marine Band, whose setlist included selections from The Nutcracker and traditional Christmas carols.
“Vulgar.” Netizens took to social media to criticize the $90 ornament
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What do you think ?
ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM 3 days ago
If the Orange Menace resigns now, Melania never has to do Christmas decoration of this importance again. Just saying. 🤷♀️
Multa Nocte 2 days ago
To quote the First Lady, "who gives a fuck about Christmas stuff and decorations?" Apparently, you only care when you can grift.
General Anaesthesia 2 days ago
As her jacket attested when she visited the children caged by her Dοtսrd, "I really don't care. Do U?"
Load More Replies...
Steff 2 days ago
G.Maxwell has officially filed to be released from prison and is fighting for information not to be released, and Maga extremists are working hard to rescind women's right to vote...this is the least likely thing to "outrage" me
Mark Stewart 2 days ago
Money is probably the only thing she has to look forward to being married to that oaf.
Load More Replies...
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 2 days ago (edited)
The US will be a much better place once the orange painted felon and the former strìpper and girl-on-girl poʻrn actress are out of the White House
Janelle Collard 2 days ago
"BUY NOW! A limited edition Melanoma Christmas ornament for the low, low price of *only* $90!" And in *very* small print: "Buying this ornament with also enroll you in the "Give-Grifter-Don $100 per month for his reelection campaign" and, NO, you can't un-enroll."
Chris the Bobcat 2 days ago
So, the gold digging Slovenian whōre who doesn't even like Christmas is hawking a $90 Christmas ornament? The level of idiocy never seems to end, but it shows a market for trumpy, tacky and tasteless garbage exists. I'm sure his faithful supporters will lap it up, there to place it on their trees. Right next to the swastika and little hitler ornaments.
UpupaEpops 2 days ago
I was curious what the ornament looks like, so I Googled it and found myself on her official (?) website. You guys, her Web store is the most deliciously unhinged thing I've seen from a politician's wife in my life. 😂 Drawings of her eyes, fashion plates, etc. It's my understanding that she doesn't have an official "job description" but it's a bit hard to take her seriously.
Rhonda Bitler 2 days ago
Very unethical for the phony First Lady to be making money. If I'm right. I do believe previous First Ladies had to give up any career or money making gigs. I loathe the moneygrubbing no class Trumps.
SchadenFreudian Psychology 2 days ago
BP, nobody wants to hear about Melanoma, or any other member of the white trash Trump family.
sam Mohney 1 day ago
The White House Historical Association, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy, sells annual White House Christmas ornaments, as well as specific First Lady ornaments (like the Dolley Madison or Jacqueline Kennedy ornaments) in their gift shop. Sales from these ornaments support the association's mission to preserve and share the history of the White House.
Elle Roque 2 days ago
Who gives a rat’s a*s about this? BP is really struggling for clickbait.
Vorion 2 days ago
No kidding. "Sparks outrage". Ripped straight from the Daily Mail headlines. But it works unfortunately. Righteous indignation for everyone!
Load More Replies...
Tiffany 2 days ago (edited)
She's entitled to do what she wants for Christmas because we all have our own individuality. You can't please everyone. - If she hates doing it then whatever she does is great because when I'm forced to do something I hate, it always turns out worse. She isn't "bad" because she dislikes the Christmas stuff. And if she does like the Holiday and that's her style.. great!! Maybe one year a Jewish family will be in the white house and it'll all be blue!!! Celebrating individuality is important. It's what makes us our unique selves. Christmas is every year and most people forget the meaning of it anyhow. Usually now its just based on excessive amounts of stuff and food.
Granny's Thoughts 2 days ago
If you think Melania is the only wealthy person spending $90+ on an ornament, you need to get a reality check.
ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM 3 days ago
If the Orange Menace resigns now, Melania never has to do Christmas decoration of this importance again. Just saying. 🤷♀️
Multa Nocte 2 days ago
To quote the First Lady, "who gives a fuck about Christmas stuff and decorations?" Apparently, you only care when you can grift.
General Anaesthesia 2 days ago
As her jacket attested when she visited the children caged by her Dοtսrd, "I really don't care. Do U?"
Load More Replies... Steff 2 days ago
G.Maxwell has officially filed to be released from prison and is fighting for information not to be released, and Maga extremists are working hard to rescind women's right to vote...this is the least likely thing to "outrage" me
Mark Stewart 2 days ago
Money is probably the only thing she has to look forward to being married to that oaf.
Load More Replies... TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 2 days ago (edited)
The US will be a much better place once the orange painted felon and the former strìpper and girl-on-girl poʻrn actress are out of the White House
Janelle Collard 2 days ago
"BUY NOW! A limited edition Melanoma Christmas ornament for the low, low price of *only* $90!" And in *very* small print: "Buying this ornament with also enroll you in the "Give-Grifter-Don $100 per month for his reelection campaign" and, NO, you can't un-enroll."
Chris the Bobcat 2 days ago
So, the gold digging Slovenian whōre who doesn't even like Christmas is hawking a $90 Christmas ornament? The level of idiocy never seems to end, but it shows a market for trumpy, tacky and tasteless garbage exists. I'm sure his faithful supporters will lap it up, there to place it on their trees. Right next to the swastika and little hitler ornaments.
UpupaEpops 2 days ago
I was curious what the ornament looks like, so I Googled it and found myself on her official (?) website. You guys, her Web store is the most deliciously unhinged thing I've seen from a politician's wife in my life. 😂 Drawings of her eyes, fashion plates, etc. It's my understanding that she doesn't have an official "job description" but it's a bit hard to take her seriously.
Rhonda Bitler 2 days ago
Very unethical for the phony First Lady to be making money. If I'm right. I do believe previous First Ladies had to give up any career or money making gigs. I loathe the moneygrubbing no class Trumps.
SchadenFreudian Psychology 2 days ago
BP, nobody wants to hear about Melanoma, or any other member of the white trash Trump family.
sam Mohney 1 day ago
The White House Historical Association, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy, sells annual White House Christmas ornaments, as well as specific First Lady ornaments (like the Dolley Madison or Jacqueline Kennedy ornaments) in their gift shop. Sales from these ornaments support the association's mission to preserve and share the history of the White House.
Elle Roque 2 days ago
Who gives a rat’s a*s about this? BP is really struggling for clickbait.
Vorion 2 days ago
No kidding. "Sparks outrage". Ripped straight from the Daily Mail headlines. But it works unfortunately. Righteous indignation for everyone!
Load More Replies... Tiffany 2 days ago (edited)
She's entitled to do what she wants for Christmas because we all have our own individuality. You can't please everyone. - If she hates doing it then whatever she does is great because when I'm forced to do something I hate, it always turns out worse. She isn't "bad" because she dislikes the Christmas stuff. And if she does like the Holiday and that's her style.. great!! Maybe one year a Jewish family will be in the white house and it'll all be blue!!! Celebrating individuality is important. It's what makes us our unique selves. Christmas is every year and most people forget the meaning of it anyhow. Usually now its just based on excessive amounts of stuff and food.
Granny's Thoughts 2 days ago
If you think Melania is the only wealthy person spending $90+ on an ornament, you need to get a reality check.
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