In a surprising turn of events this holiday season, the White House’s latest attempt to spread Christmas cheer has been met with a wave of criticism and disbelief. First Lady Jill Biden’s Christmas video, intended to showcase the festive decorations and spirit of the White House, has instead sparked controversy across social media platforms and among conservative commentators.
The video, which features the Dorrance Dance troupe performing a tap dance interpretation of The Nutcracker Suite, was meant to bring ‘magic, wonder, and joy’ to viewers. However, many have found the presentation to be out of step with traditional Christmas values, labeling it as ‘bizarre,’ ‘freaky,’ and even ‘absolute garbage.’
Jill Biden releases a new White House Christmas video
What do you think of the performance? pic.twitter.com/y7pklOuL5M
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) December 14, 2023
Critics argue that the performance, while artistically ambitious, fails to capture the essence of Christmas. The dancers, adorned in bright costumes and tapping through the candy-themed hall leading to the Blue Room’s main Christmas tree, have left many questioning the relevance of such a display to the holiday’s true meaning.
The backlash has been severe, with some going as far as to compare the video unfavorably to previous administrations’ holiday celebrations. Nostalgic references to former First Lady Melania Trump’s Christmas decorations have surfaced, despite her own controversial remarks about holiday decor in the past.
It’s not a coincidence that Jill Biden “brought bit of magic” to the White House by Dorrance Dance, the dance group that actively wants to abolish police, promotes BLM, pushes for trans and inmates rights and educates on “white privilege, systemic racism, white fragility, and… pic.twitter.com/CRBcOz1OVT
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) December 14, 2023
Social media reactions have been particularly scathing. Right-wing blogger Ian Miles Cheong referred to the video as having a ‘Hunger Games aesthetic,’ while anti-vax activist Alex Rosen expressed ‘second-hand embarrassment.’ The Libs of TikTok account condemned the video as ‘horrendous,’ and other users did not shy away from expressing their distaste in no uncertain terms.
Conservative activist Brigitte Gabriel went so far as to suggest that the video was inappropriate for children, calling it ‘smut.’ Others described the attempt as ‘desperately pandering’ and full of ‘cringe,’ with one user sarcastically suggesting that the only thing missing was a reference to a recent scandal involving Bud Light and trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Despite the overwhelming negativity, there were a few voices of support for Dr. Biden’s efforts. Some praised the creativity and hard work of the Dorrance Dance troupe, while others thanked the First Lady for bringing a fresh perspective to the White House Christmas traditions.
The First Lady herself had previously expressed a desire for visitors to the White House during the holidays to feel the childlike wonder of the season. With approximately 100,000 visitors expected, the intention was to create an environment of ‘pure, unfiltered delight and imagination.’
However, the whimsical and oversized decorations, along with the various nods to the 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ have not been enough to sway public opinion. As the debate continues, it is clear that the First Lady’s unconventional approach to this year’s White House Christmas has become a polarizing topic, leaving many longing for what they perceive as more traditional holiday celebrations.
