President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are toasting their last White House Christmas in style.
The first couple donned matching black tuxedos for their final official Christmas portrait, which was taken on Dec. 10 and released last week.
In the portrait, by the official Trump White House photographer Andrea Hanks, Trump and Melania are all smiles while posing together on the festive grand staircase of the White House in Washington, D.C.
“Merry Christmas from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump,” tweeted the first lady, who posed with her left hand in her pocket in the photo.
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Melania opted for a tailored tux paired with her signature stilettos. The president coordinated in a black tuxedo and matching bowtie.
The photo arrived as a government shutdown was avoided late Friday when Trump signed into law a short-term government funding bill hours before funding was set to lapse, buying lawmakers a few more days of negotiations as talks in Congress over a COVID-19 stimulus bill stretched into the weekend.
Merry Christmas from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. @realDonaldTrump & @FLOTUS are seen December 10, in their official 2020 Christmas portrait,on the Grand staircase of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) pic.twitter.com/PA63RYGSKE
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 18, 2020
This photo serves as the last Christmas portrait of the Trump administration as President-elect Joe Biden is set to take office in January. It also comes in the wake of controversy stirred in October after recordings of Melania making negative remarks about decorating for Christmas were released.
The recordings included Melania expressing dismay at her role in decorating and promoting the White House during Christmas time, while she was being criticized for not doing more meaningful work.
Melania has since welcomed the delivery of the official 2020 White House Christmas tree and unveiled this year’s White House decorations via virtual tour. Earlier in the week, Melania read Christmas stories at the National Children’s Hospital in Washington D.C.
Melania has traditionally opted to wear dresses for the first couple’s official Christmas portraits. In 2017, the first lady wore a black calf-length dress by the Spanish label Delpozo. In 2018, she donned a sleek white turtleneck gown by Celine.
The Trumps didn’t release an official Christmas portrait in 2019.
Contributing: Sara M Moniuszko
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