'Cringemas': Melania Trump's Christmas reading faces online backlash

Melania Trump is the first lady of the United States of America. A position that is much valued and respected and a person who is in some cases adored by the people. Trump is the second woman to serve the role twice.

And yet she remains an enigma to the people, one who has not been able to make space in their hearts. Case in point, is a video of the first lady going viral online. Following a decades-old tradition, on Friday Trump visited Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. to spend time with young patients and offer support to their families. She read 'How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?,' to a small group of patients and their families.

Melania Trump's viral video

A clip of the FLOTUS reading the book to the children in a completely uninterested tone with an expressionless face is going viral on X (Formerly Twitter). Two patients, an 11-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl can be seen sitting beside Trump, who sat in a big red chair in front of a tall Christmas tree. Netizens couldn't help but mock how Trump could be seen treating the reading as a chore for her role rather than a moment to spend some precious time with kids who were fighting courageous battles at such a small age.

Internet reacts to Melania Trump's video

A huge number of netizens have reacted disappointingly to Melania's video. One shared the picture of the little girl beside Trump looking disinterested in the reading, writing, "Same, Princess. Same.""Boy you can just feel the authentic affection these kids have for our First Lady," added another."They're probably scared she's going to shove them in the oven like Hansel and Gretel," wrote one."She doesn't even understand how to read a book to children.

You show the illustrations to the children? But she is looking at them to understand the story. Bizarre," shared one. "Cringemas," another commented.

Jill Biden's trend-setting Christmas reading

In 2024, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C. Joe Biden walked in while holding hands with one of the patients in the hospital and Jill began reading to the children while interacting with them and showing the illustrations to them. The President kept playing with a child all along, even placing them on his lap. That is traditionally, how the reading is executed. Melania on the other hand had the book towards her and expected the children to be hooked on to what she was saying. She talked to the children after the reading was finished, sharing that Donald Trump "is sending you love and best wishes as well."It is in these cases that Melania's term as the First Lady is questioned by the media and the people. Unlike her predecessors, Biden and Obama, she has yet to make a heartfelt effort to connect with Americans and do positive and impactful work for them.