President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump kicked off the holiday season in the nation's capital in front of a sparse crowd at Thursday's lighting of the National Christmas tree.
The president shared on Twitter that he was 'looking very much forward' to lighting the tree "all year long", and probably expected a huge turn out for the ceremony.
But a photo shared to Twitter by Washington, DC longtime journalist Steve Rudin captured the dozens of empty seats while the event was underway, reports Daily Mail.
In his tweet, Rudin noted that the ceremony was "beautiful", but it was "hard not to notice the empty seats".
The image paled in comparison to the crowds former president Barack Obama drew at his first tree lighting in 2009.
Soon enough, the photo went viral with many on social media comparing the empty seats to the lackluster crowd at Trump's inauguration in January.
Trump had claimed that up to 1.5 million attended his inauguration on January 20 but photos released by the National Parks Service showed a much smaller crowd than those at Obama's two inaugurations.
The National Tree Lighting ceremony was beautiful this evening - but hard not to notice the empty seats. #Christmas #DMV #USA pic.twitter.com/oKMrnnBekG
— Steve Rudin ABC7 (@SteveRudinABC7) November 30, 2017
Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer had laimed that news media photos of the inauguration were 'intentionally framed in a way...to minimize the enormous support that had gathered on the National Mall.'
And this year it was the First Lady alone who pressed the button to switch the tree on. Back in 2009 the entire first family - Barack, Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia pressed the button together.
The president and first lady took the stage for the the special event that also included the Pageant of Peace ceremony and was joined by hosts Dean Cain and Kathie Lee Gifford on the White House Ellipse.
Among those in attendance were Donald Trump Jr. and his family, Tiffany Trump and Ivanka Trump. The president's oldest daughter, who was sporting an Altuzarra's AW17 collection $3,000 Bellasio collarless double-breasted white wool coat, brought along her young children - Arabella, Joseph and Theodore - and husband Jared Kushner.
The program kicked off with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke introducing the president while speaking from the podium.
"Merry Christmas, America," he said, referring to the glowing tree behind him as "another iconic image of this blessed holiday," along with nativity scenes, presents, and cookies for Santa.
He called Trump "a man who loves our parks, loves our military, and loves our country. The man who brought `Merry Christmas' back to our nation's capital, and you did, sir."
Trump then spoke for five minutes, and discussed the "incredible national Christmas tree" while noting that the tradition goes back nearly a century.
"The weather we have is the best it's been in 25 years. In fact I said is it always like this.
"The secretary said it hasn't been like this for a very long time, so we're very lucky."
He noted that President Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation marking Christmas as a national holiday.
"For Christians this is a holy season, the celebration of the birth of our lord and savior Jesus Christ," the president said.
"The Christmas story begins 2000 years ago with a mother, a father, their baby son, and the most extraordinary gift of all, the gift of God's love for all of humanity. Whatever our beliefs we know that the birth of Jesus Christ and the story of this incredibly life forever changed the course of human history.
"There's hardly an aspect of our lives today that his life has not touched – art, music, culture, law and our respect for the sacred dignity of every person, everywhere in the world. …. Each one of us is a child of God.
"That is the true source of joy this time of the year. That is what makes every Christmas merry…. We are called to serve one another, to love one another, and to pursue peace in our hearts and all throughout the world."
He thanked those serving the needy throughout the year and during this season, and military and law enforcement, and teachers and pastor.
"And especially tonight I thank America's families... The family is the bedrock of American life... We ask for God's blessing for our families, for our nation," Trump said.
At the outset of his comments, President Trump noted that people wait with anticipation all year for Christmas.
The Christmas Story begins 2,000 years ago with a mother, a father, their baby son and the most extraordinary gift of all—the gift of God’s love for all of humanity.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017
Whatever our beliefs, we know that the birth of Jesus Christ and the story of his life... pic.twitter.com/P94C3LjWlx
"Now as the president of the United States, it's my tremendous honor to finally wish America and the world a very Merry Christmas," Trump said, and the audience cheered.
"We pray that our country will be a place where every child knows a home filled with love, a community rich with hope, and a nation blessed with faith."
To light the tree, Trump counted down from 10 with his wife, Melania, who pushed a button to set the tree aglow with golden lights and silver stars.
A number of celebrities also performed at the event including Boys II Bow Ties, Craig Campbell, Jack Wagner, Mannheim Steamroller, The Beach Boys, The Texas Tenors, Us The Duo, Wynonna and the U.S. Navy Band, led by Emmy-nominated music director Steve Gibson.
The lighting of the National Christmas tree is in its 95th year, easily making it one of the country's oldest traditions.
Today is a day that I’ve been looking very much forward to ALL YEAR LONG. It is one that you have heard me speak about many times before.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017
Now, as President of the United States, it is my tremendous honor to finally wish America and the world, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! pic.twitter.com/cTvdlUkfHV
President Calvin Coolidge first lit the tree on Christmas Eve in 1923 while on the Ellipse in front of more than 3,000 people.
Since then, every president has carried on the special tradition.
But this year's event was the first for the Trump family since the president took office in January.
The elaborate decorations on stage were perfect for the occasion.
The stage was covered in red carpet and decorated generously with poinsettias, and boxes stacked like Christmas presents, wrapped in red and white paper – designs included waves, reindeer, and paisley – and with golden ribbon and bows.
Trump took to Twitter after the event and wrote: "Today is a day that I've been looking very much forward to ALL YEAR LONG. It is one that you have heard me speak about many times before. Now, as President of the United States, it is my tremendous honor to finally wish America and the world, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
In a second tweet, he said: "The Christmas Story begins 2,000 years ago with a mother, a father, their baby son and the most extraordinary gift of all—the gift of God's love for all of humanity.
"Whatever our beliefs, we know that the birth of Jesus Christ and the story of his life..."
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