Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Dec 25: US President Donald Trump marked Christmas Eve on a light-hearted note by chatting with children calling into a traditional holiday programme, quizzing them about their favourite gifts while mixing humour with political overtones.

Vacationing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took part in the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s annual event that playfully tracks Santa Claus’ journey around the world. Speaking to children from different states, the president joked about ensuring that Santa remained “good” and did not turn into a “bad Santa” entering the country, without elaborating further.

Unlike previous Christmases when Trump had used the occasion to criticise political opponents, the president appeared jovial this time, telling callers he could spend the whole day talking to children but would need to return to pressing matters such as efforts to ease the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Responding to an eight-year-old from North Carolina who asked whether Santa would be upset if no cookies were left out, Trump said Santa might not be angry but would likely be “very disappointed,” adding with a laugh that Santa might enjoy cookies given his “cherubic” build.

At another moment, while Melania Trump was engaged in a call, the president jokingly remarked on her ability to focus without paying attention to him. The couple reportedly took around a dozen calls between them.

When an eight-year-old girl from Kansas said she hoped Santa would not bring coal, Trump quipped about “clean, beautiful coal,” a phrase he has often used while promoting domestic coal production. He later laughed off the remark as the child clarified she preferred a Barbie doll, clothes and candy instead.

The exchange drew smiles from both the callers and the first lady, rounding off a Christmas Eve marked by humour and festive cheer from the White House.