On 24/12, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania participated in the annual santa tracking operation organized by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). They answered calls from children inquiring about Santa Claus, which NORAD forwarded to the Mar-a-Lago estate, where the couple was vacationing.
The activity lasted about 20 minutes. The Trumps sat in armchairs beside a Christmas tree. The president occasionally put the phone on speaker for conversations.
 |
President Trump and First Lady Melania answered phone calls from children at Mar-a-Lago on 24/12. Photo: AFP |
During the calls, President Trump spoke with Jasper from Tulsa, Oklahoma. "Santa is very kind. He loves you, he loves Oklahoma. Oklahoma supported me greatly during the election season, so I love that place. Don't ever leave Oklahoma, okay?" Trump said, adding that the US would not let any "bad santa" enter its territory. Jasper simply replied, "Yes."
A child from North Carolina asked President Trump if Santa would be angry if their family didn't leave out cookies. Trump replied, "I don't think he would be angry, but he would certainly be disappointed. Santa is a little round, you know. Do you know what 'round' means? A little plump. I guess Santa really loves eating those cookies."
First Lady Melania often asked the children if they had siblings and what gifts they wanted for Christmas.
Taking a break between calls, Trump remarked, "I could do this all day. We still have to get back to issues involving China, Russia, Ukraine, and other things, but you could really do this all day."
NORAD's santa tracking tradition began in 1955, after a child accidentally called the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), NORAD's predecessor, and asked the duty commander, Colonel Harry Shoup, if he was Santa Claus.
Colonel Shoup replied no, but said CONAD was tracking someone in a red suit in the air. Shoup then instructed his staff to tell callers they were tracking Santa Claus.
Traditionally, the US President and First Lady participate in answering calls forwarded by NORAD during this operation.
By Nhu Tam (According to Hill, CNN)
