Trump tells child he’s preventing a ‘bad Santa’ infiltration
While taking calls from children, the president told one that they track Santa to prevent a “bad Santa” from infiltrating the U.S.
It’s Christmas Eve in Mar-a-Lago, and the first couple talked with children as part of NORAD’s Santa calls.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participated in the longstanding holiday tradition for over 20 minutes, seated in gold-trimmed armchairs near a Christmas tree. The president spoke to families on speakerphone while the first lady chatted with children on a handset.
Trump asked children what they wanted from Santa Claus, peppered praise for states that he won in the 2024 election, and touted the most recent GDP report in banter with reporters in the room. “Great numbers, great financials. I don’t think the kids are too interested in that,” Trump said.
Among the comments Trump made to children:
- When asked by a child from Oklahoma why Santa Claus is being tracked, he said: “We want to make sure that he’s not infiltrated, that we are not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa.” He also told the child, “Don’t ever leave Oklahoma.”
- After being told that a child did not want coal as a gift, he responded: “You mean clean, beautiful coal. I had to do that, I’m sorry.” He added to “please remember at all costs” that coal is “clean and beautiful.”
- When answering the phone for a child in Pennsylvania, Trump claimed that he won the state “actually, three times.” Trump lost the state in the 2020 election.
President Trump makes NORAD Santa Claus calls for Christmas
President Trump and First Lady Melania fielded NORAD Santa calls on Christmas Eve, answering calls from children asking about when Santa is coming.
Trump took six calls and said he “could do this all day long” before adding that he had to return to working on international matters.
Track Santa Claus for Christmas 2025
USA TODAY is tracking the whereabouts of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. You can watch the stream here or on our YouTube channel.
