White House Criticized for Using Hurricane-Surviving Tree as Christmas Symbol

First Lady Jill Biden selects a Fraser fir from a hurricane-hit North Carolina farm, drawing backlash over symbolism and federal disaster response.

The White House Christmas tree, an 18-foot Fraser fir, was sourced from a North Carolina farm devastated by Hurricane Helene earlier this year.
The tree, nicknamed 'Treemendous,' survived the hurricane that destroyed thousands of others on the farm, symbolizing resilience according to First Lady Jill Biden.
Critics on social media questioned the decision to cut down the tree, arguing it undermines its symbolism and highlights perceived inadequacies in federal disaster relief efforts.
The Biden administration has faced ongoing criticism for its response to Hurricane Helene, with many affected residents still displaced and awaiting adequate aid.
Some defenders noted that the tree was grown specifically for sale and decoration, while critics labeled the move as tone-deaf and politically exploitative.