The First Lady is known for keeping a low profile—yet her style often guarantees all eyes land on her.
And when she stepped out on Monday to welcome the White House Christmas tree, it wasn’t the tree that grabbed attention.
It was Melania Trump.
On November 24, 2025, the North Portico was dressed in festive décor as the official 18.5-foot White House Christmas tree arrived by horse-drawn carriage. But while the scene was filled with holiday charm, the spotlight quickly shifted to Melania’s appearance.
The First Lady came out to receive the seasonal tree and take part in the annual tradition. What should have been a cheerful, straightforward ceremony instantly transformed into an online debate—sparked entirely by her outfit.
The enormous Michigan-grown fir, also known as the Blue Room Christmas Tree, made its entrance in classic style. Two Clydesdales—Logan and Ben—pulled the carriage as a military band played, and three handlers in vintage attire guided the horses.
The tradition of presenting the White House Christmas tree dates back to the late 1800s, though historical accounts vary slightly. Since 1961, each First Lady has chosen a theme for the tree and holiday décor.
As Melania stood on the steps, poised as always and calling the tree “beautiful,” social media rapidly shifted focus to her winter ensemble.
The coat that started an online storm
Melania wore a bright winter-white coat, red leather gloves, and plaid Manolo Blahnik heels—a bold combination of festive colors. Online users immediately chimed in with opinions.
Some poked fun:
“She wore her pajama robe.”
“White bathrobe with red gloves.”
“Looks like she’s trying out to be the angel on top of the tree.”
Others simply said her coat resembled loungewear.
But her supporters defended her style:
“Melania is rocking those plaid heels.”
“She always has the best shoes.”
“Could she be any more glamorous?”
“Graceful and sophisticated.”
One admirer even declared, “Elegance is back in the White House.”
A new hair color steals attention
While her outfit sparked mixed reactions, style experts were more interested in her new hair shade—a warm, luminous makeover that immediately stood out.
Suzie McGill of Rainbow Room International told Hello! that the updated color complemented Melania’s complexion and added a refined brightness without overdoing it.
Kirsty Judge of the Rush Artistic Team described it as “cinnamon blonde,” a blend of golden beige tones, warm acorn hues, and soft vanilla highlights.
Past comments resurface
Despite the polished outfit and seasonal ceremony, online conversations eventually circled back to a controversy from years prior.
Many recalled the private conversations from 2018 that became public in 2020, in which Melania expressed frustration about holiday responsibilities and media criticism. The recordings were shared by a former friend and adviser, which sparked disagreements at the time.
Former aides responded sharply back then, criticizing both the recordings and the decision to make them public.
