MELANIA Trump has thanked volunteers for decorating the White House after she was allegedly caught saying “who gives a f**k about Christmas” on tape.
The White House was given a festive makeover on the weekend with the wreaths, trees and Christmas lights adorning the Trumps’ official residence.
The outgoing first lady, who posed with the White House Christmas tree on Monday as she decorated the official residence for the final time, took to Twitter to thank those who helped with the decorations.
“This weekend, volunteers from all across America have come to decorate the White House for the holiday season,” Melania, 50, said.
“Thank you for your time, enthusiasm & devotion to make sure the spirit of peace & joy fill the historic rooms & halls of the People’s House!”
Festive snaps shared by Melania showed a face-mask clad volunteer placing a “USA” Christmas bauble ornament on the 18-and-a-half foot Fraser Fir shipped from West Virginia and set to light up the Blue Room as the centerpiece.
Others showed volunteers stringing garlands and wreaths along the outside walls.
The 50-year-old kicked off the holiday season by attending the tree arrival ceremony without her husband or their son Barron on Monday last week.
‘WHO GIVES A F*** ABOUT CHRISTMAS?’
Her outwardly festive appearance was in contrast to a recording released in which Melania allegedly complains about the festive prep.
She allegedly said “who gives a f*** about Christmas stuff” while discussing the traditional first lady task of decorating the executive mansion for the holiday.
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, the First Lady’s longtime friend and former White House aide, shared the secret audio tapes with CNN last month while promoting her tell-all book, Melania & Me.
The taped conversation is said to have taken place in June of 2018.
In it, Melania discusses the criticism she received for Trump’s policy of splitting up families who illegally crossed the border while at the same time having to decorate the presidential abode for Christmas.
“They say I’m complicit. I’m the same like [Trump], I support him, I don’t say enough. I don’t do enough,” Melania is heard saying.
‘”Where I am. I put – I’m working like a – my a** off – at Christmas stuff that you know, who gives a f*** about Christmas stuff and decoration? But I need to do it, right?
“Ok, and then I do it. And I say that I’m working on Christmas planning for the Christmas. And they said, ‘Oh, what about the children that they were separated?’
“Give me a f***ing break. Where they were saying anything when Obama did that?” she adds.
Melania has since slammed the book and the recordings as “idle gossip”.
Despite the tensions, Melania has been all smiles at the 2020 Official White House Christmas tree launch in Washington, D.C.
Fraser fir was presented on a wagon on the North Portico of the White House.
The tree which arrived with the help of two Clydesdale horses, is set to be placed in the White House’s Blue Room.
One day prior to the arrival of the tree, Melania shared photos from previous years to Twitter and wrote: “Since 1966, the arrival of the White House Christmas Tree has become an iconic holiday tradition.”
The White House is subject to coronavirus guidelines, with Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams issuing a stern warning.
Adams told ABC’s Good Morning America: “Go to CDC.gov. Look at those tips for everyone.
“These apply to the White House, they apply to the American people, they apply to everyone. We want you to stay safe, so we can get to a vaccine.”
A spokesperson for the First Lady recently confirmed that parties this year will be smaller than they were in the past.
“The People’s House will celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah while providing the safest environment possible,” Melania’s chief of staff Stephanie Grisham said.
“This includes smaller guest lists, masks will be required and available, social distancing encouraged while on the White House grounds, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the State Floor.
“Guests will enjoy food individually plated by chefs at plexiglass-protected food stations. All passed beverages will be covered. All service staff will wear masks and gloves to comply with food safety guidelines.
“Attending the parties will be a very personal choice. It is a longstanding tradition for people to visit and enjoy the cheer and iconic decor of the annual White House Christmas celebrations.”
The White House will celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas this year, with a reception for the former scheduled for 3pm on December 9 and the congressional Christmas party on December 10.
The holiday preparation comes at a turbulent moment between the First Lady and President Trump.
President Trump is refusing to concede his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden, while divorce rumors between him and Melania begin to swirl again.
Lawyer Jacqueline Newman has predicted a very generous payout.
According to Newman, Melania could receive as much as $50million in divorce settlement if she splits from her husband when he leaves office.
