Overview
- President Trump cited John 1:4 in brief remarks and thanked first responders, law enforcement, and border agents.
- He honored National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, saying he met Wolfe’s parents earlier in the day.
- The program featured performances by the Beach Boys, Matthew West, and country artists including Gabby Barrett, Jon Pardi, Alana Springsteen, Brett Young, and Warren Zeiders.
- This year’s National Christmas Tree is a red spruce from Virginia’s George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, surrounded by smaller state and territory trees with student-made ornaments and lit nightly through the holiday period.
- Trump also referenced a Rwanda–Congo peace deal, repeated his claim that the 2020 election was “rigged,” and noted he will be in office for next year’s World Cup and Olympics.