After Melania Trump unveiled holiday decor at the White House Monday, people were quick to point out a particular decoration that could have been done away with.
As part of their traditional yet exorbitant Christmas display, the First Family hung a mistletoe plant – an eighteenth-century creation that has evolved over the years as a cue for required kissing.
Trolling social media users took to their Twitter platform to share some thoughts on the new ‘touch’.
One said: ‘Seems like a not-great idea to have mistletoe hanging in the White House amid a stretch of sexual misconduct stories.’
A mistletoe hangs over the doorway going from the Green Room into the Blue Room at the White House. The choice of decoration caused a stir on social media
First Lady Melania Trump walks through various rooms to participate in arts and crafts projects with children and students from Joint Base Andrews on Monday afternoon at the White House
The Cross Hall is decorated with ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ theme is seen during a media preview
Melania looks on as ballerinas perform in the Grand Foyer during the decoration unveiling
Another wrote: ‘Keep the mistletoe away from your husband. He is a sexual predator. He likes to grab women’s private parts.’
One added: ‘Pointless. When @realDonaldTrump sees ‘a beautiful woman, [he] just start[s] kissing them.’ I hear he doesn’t ‘even wait’. We definitely don’t need mistletoe in the White House.’
A tweeter pointed out their preference instead for the Obama family’s display – which they say included ‘much less white dead trees.’
Others sighed after seeing the sensitive reaction to the common Christmas tradition.
‘If all you have to do is complain about the @White House having mistletoe as part of its Christmas decorations, you really, really need to get a life. #StopComplaining.’
Another said vaguely: ‘So now people are outraged by mistletoe? Got it.’
Aside from the decor debacle, the Trump family debuted their holiday greeting card, which said nothing about ‘the holidays’ on it.
The family did away with President Obama’s slogan for the card – which wished Americans a ‘joyous holiday season.’
Instead, the card signed by the President, Melania and 11-year-old Barron, reads: ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.’
The slogan aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to ‘say Merry Christmas again.’
At an event back in October, Trump repeated the pledge once more: ‘They don’t use the word ‘Christmas’ because it’s not politically correct,’ he added.
‘We’re saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again.’
The official White House Christmas card signed by President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and their son Barron Trump is shown. The card reads: ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’
Melania is greeted by children as she arrives to visits with them in the East Room among the 2017 holiday
The Red Room is captured during a media preview of the 2017 holiday decoration display
Christmas tree ornaments are shown in the Red Room during the media preview this week