First Lady Jill Biden recently unveiled the White House Christmas tree, a towering Fraser Fir with a backstory meant to inspire hope and resilience.
Dubbed “Tree-mendous” by the family that grew it, the tree was the sole survivor of Hurricane Helene on a North Carolina farm that lost thousands of other trees. The Cartner family, who own the farm nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, saw it as a symbol of perseverance. The White House, apparently, saw it as a decorative opportunity.
It didn’t take long for critics to roll their eyes—and for good reason. A tree that withstood a hurricane’s wrath and stood tall as a beacon of hope was uprooted, shipped off to Washington, and placed on a temporary pedestal for the political elite to marvel at. If the symbolism wasn’t lost on the American public, it seems to have completely bypassed the administration. As one commentator quipped, “They really hacked down a tree from a devastated area and shipped it to Washington for the elites to enjoy. It’s poetic.”
lol…They really hacked down a tree from a devastated area and shipped it to Washington for the elites to enjoy.
It’s poetic. https://t.co/9Nmoex04xn
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 29, 2024
The misstep has sparked outrage, with critics pointing out the irony of celebrating resilience by literally cutting it down. Erick Erickson summed it up best: “This is the sort of tone deafness that cost the Democrats this year.” While regular Americans are still grappling with the real-world consequences of disasters like Helene—flood damage, economic hardship, and the never-ending slog of rebuilding—the message from the White House seems clear: symbols matter more than substance.
Sean Davis of The Federalist hit another nerve when he questioned the administration’s priorities: “You were able to go to North Carolina to cut down one of their trees for your party, but you couldn’t manage to help the actual people stranded after the floods?” It’s the kind of criticism that resonates with a weary and skeptical public, especially when disasters like Hurricane Helene have left so many feeling abandoned by federal agencies that seem more interested in photo ops than real solutions.
You were able to go to North Carolina to cut down one of their trees for your party, but you couldn’t manage to help the actual people stranded after the floods? https://t.co/JfLn7n3k5V
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) November 29, 2024
“So, let me get this straight. The one tree that remained symbolically standing in an area on the receiving end of the unprecedented destruction, having earned the nickname ‘Treemendous’ for its fortitude in surviving and standing as a symbol of resilience, was cut down and dragged to the White House to be put on temporary display before getting tossed aside as, for lack of a better term, garbage?” another posted. “Who the hell thought that was a good idea? Speaking of symbolism, this move by Team Deep State is very on-brand.”
So, let me get this straight.
The one tree that remained symbolically standing in an area on the receiving end of the unprecedented destruction, having earned the nickname ‘Treemendous’ for its fortitude in surviving and standing as a symbol of resilience, was cut down and… https://t.co/yDttFwgWHO
— AwakenedOutlaw⚒️ (@AwakenedOutlaw) November 27, 2024
Sure, the tree will look beautiful in the White House’s holiday display, but the cost of this PR stunt isn’t just environmental—it’s symbolic of the administration’s detachment from the struggles of ordinary Americans. When the festivities end, and the tree is tossed out with the New Year’s trash, its story won’t be one of hope and resilience. Instead, it’ll serve as a reminder of an administration that still doesn’t quite get it.
