The North Portico was drenched in tradition on November 24, 2025, but all eyes weren’t on the 18-and-a-half-foot Christmas tree that arrived in a horse-drawn carriage. They were on her.
First Lady Melania Trump took center stage in Washington, D.C., as she welcomed the official White House Christmas tree, marking the festive season’s ceremonial beginning. But the moment, meant to showcase holiday cheer and Americana tradition, quickly spiraled into something else entirely online: a conversation about her eye-catching outfit.
Escorted by a military band’s joyful tunes, the Michigan-grown fir from Korson’s Tree Farms rolled up to the executive residence in a grand carriage drawn by two Clydesdale horses named Logan and Ben. Accompanying the horses were three men dressed in old-fashioned suits and top hats.
The Coat Seen ‘Round the Internet
Standing on the steps of the North Portico, Trump greeted the arrival in her signature composed style, calling it “a beautiful tree” as she posed beside the carriage. But while the tree would soon stand tall in the Blue Room, the public’s focus shifted to her outfit.
Trump wore a pristine Dior coat paired with bright red leather gloves and tartan-patterned Manolo Blahnik stilettos. The wintry white ensemble paired with bold holiday accents sent the internet into a frenzy.
Not everyone was impressed.
“She wore her pajama robe,” one commenter said.
“White bathrobe and red rubber gloves,” another joked.
“She’s literally wearing a bathrobe,” someone else declared.
Still, many fans defended the look:
“Melania is rockin her plaid stilettos ♥️.”
“She has the best shoes. Every. Time.”
Others admired her presence:
“She is beautiful and sophisticated. Poise and gracefulness.”
“Elegance is back in the White House.”
Holiday Hair Transformation Sparks Praise
Her outfit wasn’t the only talking point. The First Lady revealed a glowing new hair color that quickly earned praise from salon experts.
Suzie McGill, artistic director at Rainbow Room International, shared with Hello! that the lighter shade was a perfect match for Melania’s complexion, adding brightness without appearing overdone. She said the color added modern energy while maintaining Melania’s signature elegance.
Kirsty Judge of the Rush Artistic Team described the shade as “cinnamon blonde,” detailing its warm acorn base mixed with delicate vanilla blonde highlights.
Tapes From the Past Haunt the Present
Despite the festive moment, the event stirred memories of a past controversy. In 2020, secretly recorded tapes from 2018 were aired on Anderson Cooper 360, capturing Melania Trump venting about the pressures of public appearances during her husband’s administration.
“I’m working my [expletive] off on the Christmas stuff… who gives a [expletive] about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?” she was heard saying.
She also expressed frustration about public criticism of her husband’s family separation policies, implying similar actions in the prior administration received less scrutiny.
A Friendship Implosion
Those tapes were secretly recorded by her former friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, once one of Melania’s closest confidantes. Stephanie Grisham, Melania’s chief of staff at the time, responded sharply:
“Secretly taping the First Lady and willfully breaking an NDA to publish a salacious book is a clear attempt at relevance.”
Wolkoff later published Melania and Me, revealing years of private conversations covering Melania’s marriage, fashion controversies, and more.
A former Vogue staffer claimed the two had been inseparable in New York’s elite social circles. Wolkoff eventually became Melania’s senior adviser, helping craft speeches and shape her “Be Best” initiative.
Their relationship fractured amid scrutiny over spending on the 2017 presidential inauguration. Documents reported that Wolkoff’s event planning firm received over $26 million for inaugural activities, with $500,000 going directly to her and $1.6 million to her company.
