Late-night television host Jimmy Fallon surprised his studio audience on Monday night with a joke about First Lady Melania Trump’s new White House Christmas decorations. The “Tonight Show” host proposed unconventional additions to the festive setup, sparking a mix of shock and amusement among viewers.
On December 1, Melania Trump presented the White House’s 2025 holiday decorations. The display included 51 Christmas trees, 75 wreaths, 2,000 strands of lights, over 700 feet of garland, 25,000 feet of ribbon, and 10,000 butterflies. This year’s theme, “Home Is Where The Heart Is,” also pays homage to the United States’ forthcoming 250th anniversary.
While acknowledging the appeal of the decorations, Fallon criticized their conventional nature. He humorously suggested alternative ideas to enhance the White House’s holiday aesthetic, such as a reimagined Nativity scene featuring animals that President Donald Trump mentioned during a cognitive test.
Imitating the president, Fallon remarked: “Baby Jesus with a manger… and then a cow and a dinosaur.” The audience laughed, recognizing the reference to Trump’s frequent mentions of his cognitive assessment, a topic often discussed throughout his political career.
Fallon’s subsequent proposal was more provocative. He suggested an Advent calendar with a twist, where each door would reveal a name from the unreleased Epstein list. This comment drew immediate gasps from the audience, followed by nervous laughter. Fallon smiled at the response and suggested that such additions would “spice it up a little bit.”
The comedian continued with his satirical recommendations, proposing that the traditional Elf on the Shelf be replaced with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This joke was accompanied by a photoshopped image of Rubio dressed as a Christmas elf, reflecting Fallon’s signature blend of political satire and humor.
Fallon did express genuine admiration for one aspect of the White House decorations: the gingerbread model of the White House, made from over 120 pounds of gingerbread. However, he joked that Trump had demolished half of the gingerbread structure during one weekend, drawing a parallel to the president’s decision to renovate the White House ballroom, which involved extensive construction.
The segment took a more serious turn when Fallon reminded viewers of Melania Trump’s previous comments about Christmas decorations. He played a 2018 audio clip recorded by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, the first lady’s former aide, in which Melania Trump said: “Who gives a **** about Christmas stuff?” This audio, revealed during Trump’s first term, sparked controversy over the first lady’s views on her ceremonial roles.
The difference between that 2018 recording and the current elaborate Christmas presentation is notable. During Trump’s earlier presidency, Melania Trump’s decorations often sparked debate and became subjects of internet memes. In 2017, her choice of stark white branches in the East Wing was compared to horror films, and in 2018, her crimson trees were criticized as a “nightmare forest.”
Fallon’s monologue on Monday night is another instance of late-night hosts using the Trump administration for comedic material. The segment highlighted how political figures, especially those in the White House, remain frequent subjects of satire on evening talk shows.
The current White House decorations represent the Trump family’s first Christmas celebration at the executive mansion since 2020. The elaborate display was created with the help of numerous volunteer decorators who transformed the mansion’s interior into a festive scene. The theme’s connection to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary adds a patriotic element to this year’s decorations.
Despite the comedic portrayals by late-night hosts, the annual unveiling of the White House Christmas decorations remains a tradition that attracts public interest and media attention. The decorations will be on display throughout the holiday season, welcoming visitors and dignitaries to the nation’s most well-known residence.
