Trump Jokes About ‘Clean, Beautiful Coal’ During Christmas Calls With Kids
What is usually a lighthearted Christmas tradition took on a familiar political tone this year when Donald Trump joined children from across the country for the annual NORAD Tracks Santa phone calls on Christmas Eve.
The event, which allows kids to call in and ask questions about Santa’s journey around the world, is meant to be festive and fun. But Trump, never one to fully separate politics from public moments, sprinkled in jokes and remarks that reflected his long-held views on energy, elections, and even immigration, all while chatting with young callers.
“Clean, Beautiful Coal”
One of the most talked-about moments came during a call with an 8-year-old girl who was asked what she wanted for Christmas.
“Not coal,” the girl replied, referencing the age-old joke about Santa’s punishment for naughty children.
Trump jumped in with a grin.
“You mean clean, beautiful coal,” he said, quickly correcting her.
After a brief pause, Trump added, “Sorry, I had to do that. I’m sorry. No, coal is clean and beautiful. Please remember that at all costs.”
He then softened the moment, asking the girl what she actually wanted for Christmas, keeping the exchange playful.
The joke wasn’t accidental. Trump has long positioned himself as a strong supporter of the coal industry. Earlier this year, he signed an executive order aimed at boosting coal production by rolling back environmental regulations related to mining, leasing, and exports. Critics say coal remains one of the dirtiest fossil fuels, while Trump and his allies argue it is essential for American energy independence and jobs.
Santa, Surveillance, and Oklahoma
Trump also leaned into national security humour while speaking with a child from Oklahoma, tying Santa Claus to the work of the North American Aerospace Defence Command, better known as NORAD.
“We track Santa all over the world,” Trump said. “We want to make sure that Santa is being good.”
He then joked about making sure Santa wasn’t “infiltrated” and wasn’t bringing anything unwanted into the country, a comment that echoed his long-standing rhetoric about border security.
Trump followed that up with praise for Oklahoma, telling the child that the state had been “very good” to him in elections and encouraging them never to leave.
It was a moment that blended holiday humour with Trump’s trademark political messaging, even as the audience consisted of children just hoping Santa would make it to their homes on time.
Revisiting the 2020 Election
During a call with a child from Pennsylvania, Trump revisited the 2020 election, falsely claiming he won the state.
“I know Pennsylvania is great. We won Pennsylvania, actually, three times,” Trump said, before adding, “I bet your mom voted properly.”
The comment echoed Trump’s continued claims about the election, despite courts and election officials repeatedly affirming the results. While the child on the call did not respond to the political remark, the moment stood out as another example of Trump weaving campaign-style rhetoric into an otherwise festive event.
Keeping Some Calls Light
Not every conversation took a political turn. In several calls, Trump kept things focused on Christmas traditions, gifts, and Santa Claus.
When an 8-year-old girl from North Carolina asked whether Santa would get mad if families forgot to leave cookies, Trump reassured her.
“I think he won’t get mad, but I think he’ll be very disappointed,” he said.
Trump then joked about Santa’s love for cookies, describing him as “a little on the cherubic side,” explaining that meant “a little on the heavy side.” The child laughed, and the exchange stayed firmly in holiday territory.
The moment was a reminder that Trump, when he chooses to, can lean into humour and warmth, something many supporters appreciate. Critics often say is overshadowed by his political tone.
A History With Santa Calls
Trump’s participation in NORAD’s Santa calls has drawn attention in the past. In 2018, he made headlines after asking a 7-year-old girl whether she still believed in Santa Claus, telling her that belief at her age was “marginal.” The comment sparked backlash, with critics arguing that it risked spoiling the magic of childhood.
This year, there were no similar missteps, and most of the calls stayed playful, even when politics crept in.
Politics Returns After the Calls
After the NORAD event concluded and Trump spoke with U.S. service members, he returned to his usual political messaging in a Christmas post on Truth Social.
“Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country,” Trump wrote, before listing what he described as accomplishments from his first term. Some of the claims were exaggerated, but the message followed a familiar pattern: holiday greetings mixed with sharp political attacks.
“We are respected again, perhaps like never before,” he added. “God Bless America!!!”
A Holiday Moment, Trump-Style
For many families, the NORAD Santa calls are a cherished tradition meant to spark wonder and excitement. This year’s event did just that, though, with a uniquely Trump-style twist.
By blending jokes about coal, election claims, and Santa surveillance with holiday cheer, Trump once again showed his ability to turn even the most festive moments into reflections of his political worldview.
For supporters, it was classic Trump: humorous, unfiltered, and unapologetic. For critics, it was another example of politics creeping into spaces meant for children.
Either way, the calls ensured that this year’s Santa tracking event will be remembered for more than just sleigh bells and reindeer.
