Social secretary helps to welcome people back
WASHINGTON » Cookies forgotten in purses until they crumble. Complaints about not being invited. Boycotts over political disagreements with President Joe Biden.
After a couple of partyfree years because of the coronavirus pandemic, White House holiday parties are back — and the “people’s house” is once again welcoming the people. Lots of people. An estimated 50,000 visitors between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
And helping make it all happen is White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo.
“Everybody’s ready to have a party,” said Rickie Niceta, who had Elizondo’s job in the Trump administration.
It’s been a whirlwind month for Elizondo, who oversaw holiday decorating by 150 volunteers after Thanksgiving followed by a visit by France’s president that included a state dinner for more than 330 guests. There also was a White House reception for the Kennedy Center honorees and a three-day summit with nearly 50 African leaders.
Elizondo also lent his expertise to preparations for the 250-guest South Lawn wedding of Biden’s granddaughter Naomi in November, and he is working his way through more than 20 holiday parties and receptions.
And with the end almost in sight, a surprise White House visit Wednesday by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was added to the mix, requiring even further juggling by Elizondo.
White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House last month.
So how is he managing? “Lots of caffeine,” said Elizondo, the first Latino to become White House social secretary. He began working for Biden and his wife back when Biden was Barack Obama’s vice president.
“For over a decade the President and I have relied on Carlos for his creativity, heart, and dedication to bring our traditions and warm welcome to the American people,” first lady Jill Biden said. “Now at the White House, Carlos is helping us celebrate the richness of our country’s culture and diversity.” and test for the virus before attending.
White House merrymaking would seem incomplete without some grumbling. And a boycott.
New Hampshire’s two senators, Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, skipped a black-tie ball for members of Congress to protest Biden’s proposal for South Carolina to lead the party’s presidential primaries schedule. New Hampshire historically has been first.
Multiple journalists grumbled openly about not being invited. “PBS NewsHour” anchor Judy Woodruff shared a photo of the crumbs from a cookie she tried to save for later.
“This is what happens when you steal a Christmas cookie at the White House holiday party, throw it into your purse but forget about it until you get home,” Woodruff tweeted.