Trump and first lady release Christmas Day video message

Trump and first lady release Christmas Day video message

President Donald Trump and the first lady on Monday released a joint Christmas Day video message from the White House, quoting passages from the Bible and praising military families. 

Trump tweeted out the short recording, which was taped before the first family left Washington DC for their holiday vacation at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. 

'My fellow Americans, Melania and I are delighted to wish America and the entire world a very Merry Christmas,' the president says at the outset of the video.

Melania Trump, dressed in a lacy red frock, says that at this time of year, 'we see the best of America and the soul of the American people,' and pays tribute to 'our brave men and women in uniform.'

The video, clocking at 1 minute, 44 seconds, features a montage showing the first family greeting troops and spending time with children, and footage showcasing this year's Christmas decorations at the White House, including closeups of an elaborate nativity scene and a banner that reads, 'Merry Christmas.'

Trump then goes on to say: 'In the season of joy, we spend time with our families, we renew the bonds of love and goodwill between our citizens and most importantly we celebrate the miracle of Christmas. 

'For Christians we remember the story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph that began more than 2,000 years ago. As the book of Isaiah tells us, for to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

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

As of Monday afternoon, the video has been viewed on Twitter more than 1.43million times.  

The message comes after the president tweeted on Christmas Eve that people are 'proud to be saying Merry Christmas again. I am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!'

Donald and Melania Trump attended Christmas Eve worship services at Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Seain Palm Beach, where the pair were married in 2005.

Earlier Sunday, Trump offered season’s greetings to US troops stationed overseas. He also joined the first lady for the tradition of fielding telephone calls from kids tracking Santa’s progress by way of a Defense Department program.

Trump told a caller from Mississippi that the state is 'great' and predicted that 'Santa is going to treat you very well.'

He played golf and had rich, bountiful dinner with his family.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, Trump has been liberally sprinkling his public remarks with Christmas tidings - and drawing attention to his choice of words.

Trump has long promised that this year would be different after what he saw as a trend toward giving the Christian celebration short shrift in favor of a more generic and inclusive 'happy holidays' message.

'Well, guess what? We're saying 'Merry Christmas' again,' Trump announced in October at a Values Voter Summit of conservatives.

Trump has expressed concern about a diminished 'Merry Christmas' message for years.

In 2011, he criticized then-President Barack Obama's approach, saying on Twitter that the president had 'issued a statement for Kwanza but failed to issue one for Christmas.'

In fact, that year Obama wished people 'Merry Christmas' from his Twitter account and gave a video address with his wife in which he wished people a 'Merry Christmas and happy holidays.'

Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also offered greetings marking Kwanza, the weeklong African heritage festivities in December.