President Trump makes NORAD Santa Claus calls ahead of Christmas

On the evening of December 24, 2025, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took part in a long-standing holiday tradition by answering calls from children inquiring about Santa Claus’s journey around the world. The activity, part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s annual Christmas Eve Santa Tracker, allows young callers to receive updates on Santa’s location and enjoy brief exchanges with prominent figures.

NORAD’s Santa Tracker traces its origins to 1955, when a misprinted phone number in a local advertisement connected a child seeking Santa to a military command post. That serendipitous event evolved into a tradition connecting families with military and civic institutions during the holiday season. During this year’s operation, the president and first lady fielded calls from children curious about Santa’s whereabouts and excited about their own holiday wishes.

The exchanges were lighthearted and included moments that reflected both the festive season and Mr. Trump’s recognizable communication style. In one call, a young child from Oklahoma was assured that Santa was “good” and friendly, with the president adding that Santa “loves Oklahoma like I do,” blending a standard holiday sentiment with a familiar public persona. Another child asked whether Santa might be upset about a lack of milk and cookies and was told that Santa might be disappointed but not angry.

Several interactions included playful references to political themes. When a child expressed hope not to receive coal, the president commented on “clean, beautiful coal,” a phrase he has used in discussions of energy policy. He quickly returned to the child’s own holiday hopes and the Santa tracking tradition, maintaining the jovial tone while briefly touching on familiar talking points.

Other calls featured light banter about gifts, with Mr. Trump complimenting a child for showing curiosity and intelligence in their holiday wishes. These moments sustained the cheerful spirit of the event while subtly reflecting elements of the president’s public messaging.

Participation in the NORAD Santa Tracker demonstrates how civic and cultural traditions can bring together public institutions and communities. NORAD, primarily focused on national defense, engages in this annual exercise to foster public goodwill and create a shared festive experience. Children, parents, and other participants gain the sense of being part of a larger holiday observance that blends imagination with communal connection.

The combination of holiday cheer and political visibility drew commentary from observers noting how presidential engagement can reach audiences in a nontraditional, festive context. As the calls concluded, President Trump also issued seasonal greetings to supporters and the wider public, reflecting on shared holiday values and extending goodwill beyond those directly participating in the phone calls.

For many families, the NORAD Santa Tracker remains a cherished part of Christmas Eve, blending technological tracking tools with long-standing cultural customs. The event allows children to follow Santa’s progress across time zones while providing adults a sense of continuity and tradition during the holiday season. Involvement by national leaders adds a ceremonial dimension to what is, at its core, a family-oriented activity.

This year’s calls highlighted the intersection of civic ritual and seasonal celebration. Beyond answering questions about Santa, the event offered a brief moment in which public figures could engage with citizens in an informal, joyful setting. These interactions underscore how longstanding customs can accommodate both ceremonial and personal elements, even when national leaders are involved.

NORAD’s coordination of the Santa Tracker exemplifies public service that extends into cultural engagement. Military and administrative personnel ensure that the tradition runs smoothly, providing children worldwide with timely updates on Santa’s progress. For families, these calls offer simple delight and reinforce a sense of shared participation in a global celebration.

The holiday exchanges demonstrate the enduring appeal of traditions that transcend politics. They combine imagination, communal participation, and lighthearted engagement while highlighting the role of public figures in national customs. As the night progressed and Santa continued his journey around the world, the calls from Mar-a-Lago served both as a personal touchpoint for young callers and as a reaffirmation of seasonal practices that unite communities across generations.

In balancing levity and tradition with the responsibilities of public office, the NORAD Santa calls offered a reminder that civic rituals can provide connection and joy, even amid the demands of governance. They reinforced the enduring appeal of public participation in shared customs and highlighted the capacity of longstanding holiday practices to bring people together in celebration.