‘The Grifters Keep Grifting’: Melania Trump Sparks Backlash Over $90 ‘USA Inspired’ Christmas Ornaments After Saying ‘F**k’ Christmas

Melania Trump is getting roasted on social media for hawking $90 Christmas ornaments at a time when families are reeling from inflation, and many are struggling to get through the holidays.

The soon-to-be first lady dropped into “Fox & Friends” on Dec. 6 to show off her new line of brass ornaments that pay homage to the United States — however loosely.

Melania Trump Sparks Backlash Over $90 'USA Inspired' Christmas Ornaments After Saying 'F**k' Christmas
Melania Trump speaks during a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Melania explained that an ornament called “Lady Liberty” was inspired by a necklace she wore in her modeling days in Paris. Of course, you can purchase a limited-edition Melania-designed necklace to coordinate with your tree, starting at a cool $275.

Her official website describes the ornament collection, which ranges from $75 to $90, as “four limited edition Christmas ornaments with corresponding digital collectibles,” noting that each one will bear Melania’s signature and was “proudly handcrafted in the United States.”

This is the third season Melania has rolled out pricey holiday wares, but this year, she’s catching extra flak for making such a blatant money grab before her husband takes office. With Donald Trump recently announcing that half a dozen seats at his inaugural ball can be had for $1 million in donations, it appears that the next leader of the free world and his wife are leveraging any chance they can get to make money.

“Don’t forget to b-tch about the price of eggs after you pay $90 for a Melania Trump Christmas ornament,” one perturbed X user presumably told Trump voters, referencing the “eggflation” that pundits say contributed to presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ defeat. “There is no limit to their grift. None,” wrote another, followed by a public service announcement that “Every penny of profit goes to Melania as well. These are not for charity. The grift keeps grifting.”

“Michelle Obama gave kids healthy free meals Melania Trump sells piece of sh*t Christmas Ornaments to fill her own pockets,” wrote another.

Though memories of Trump’s first presidency may have faded, that’s not the case when it comes to Melania and “Christmas stuff.” In 2020, she was mercilessly dragged over a conversation secretly caught on tape by former friend and advisor Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.

“They say I’m complicit. I’m the same like him, I support him,” Melania can be heard complaining in audio released to the press. “I don’t say enough. I don’t do enough. … I’m working my ass off at Christmas stuff that, you know, who gives a f**k about Christmas stuff and decoration? But I need to do it, right?”

People with long memories were quick to point out her disdain for the holiday. “I’m old enough to remember when Melania didn’t give a f**k about Christmas stuff and decorations. Must be she only likes Christmas when she can make money from it.”

“What about Melania’s sickening blood red Christmas trees?” asked another, recalling the startling display of red trees lining the East Colonnade of the White House in 2018, dubbed by the press as the “Handmaid’s Tale” Christmas.

But in the chorus of critical comments, there are a few voices of support, as one person said, “They can sell everything, as long as it isn’t state secrets, then we’re good.”

Democracy needs journalism it can trust.

This election season, the stakes are higher than usual — and so is the pressure on newsrooms to soften their coverage, stay quiet, or just disappear. Independent reporting, the kind that answers to readers instead of advertisers or political pressure, matters more in a moment like this, not less.

For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed independent and reader-funded. We have no corporate owner and no shareholders telling us what to cover or how to cover it. That independence is also our biggest vulnerability: nothing protects it except readers choosing to fund it directly.

Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under in a moment like this, it's rarely the independent, reader-funded ones that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Back to top