Austin American-Statesman

Trump celebrates Christmas like most of America, with family

- By Darlene Superville

President PALM BEACH, FLA. — Donald Trump is celebratin­g Christmas the way millions of Americans do: surrounded by family, the White House said.

But unlike most Americans, he released a brief video in which his wife, Melania, joined him to “wish America and the entire world a very Merry Christmas.”

The first lady says that at this time of year “we see the best of America and the soul of the American people” in children packing boxes to help brighten Christmas for service members and communitie­s coming together to help one another.

“In this season of joy, we spend time with our families, we renew our bonds of love and goodwill between our citizens and, most importantl­y, we celebrate the miracle of Christmas,” Trump said, noting the story of Jesus’ birth.

“This good news is the greatest Christmas gift of all, the reason for our joy and the true source of our hope,” the president said.

Trump is spending his first Christmas in office at his estate and private club in Palm Beach, Florida. The White House did not say which family members are with him at Mar-a-Lago, but the first lady and their son, Barron, arrived days before he joined them last Friday.

Trump’s daughter, Tiffany Trump, was seen getting off of Air Force One in Florida on Friday, and Donald Trump Jr. shared on social media photos of some of his five children at Christmas Eve dinner with their grandfathe­r.

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