Jill Biden unveils White House Christmas decorations but sparks fierce 'tone deaf' debate

The halls have now been decked as First Lady Jill Biden has unveiled the holiday decoration theme for the White House for Christmas 2023.

Jill Biden has now shown the first look of the White House holiday decorations, which include, 98 Christmas trees, 350 candles, 22,000 bells, nearly 34,000 Christmas ornaments, approximately 14,975 feet of ribbon, and 142,000 colorful lights.

The theme will be the “Magic, Wonder, and Joy” of Christmas as the First Lady hopes to inspire visitors to the White House this December to embrace their inner child.

On social media, Jill Biden wrote: “For this year’s holidays at the White House, our theme is inspired by how children experience this festive season: completely present in the beauty and bounty around them, their senses alight, with hearts open to the ‘Magic, Wonder, and Joy’ of the season.”

She added: “We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the White House — ‘The People’s House’ — during the holidays. May the memories made this holiday season remind us all of the blessing that is our Nation.”

READ MORE: Chicago’s Christmas tree sparks fierce blowback from local residents

Throughout the incredible decor are references to the 1823 poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (A Visit from St Nicholas) by Clement Clarke Moore which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.

Some of the most notable references can be seen in the Grand Foyer of the White House, where Santa’s sleigh and reindeer can be seen suspended in midair.

There is also the 2023 Gingerbread White House on display which has been created to replicate the famous poem. It includes a sugar cookie replica of the book as well as a gingerbread White House which has a Santa’s sleigh and reindeer flying above it.

The Gingerbread White House was made with 40 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 40 sheets of gingerbread dough, 90 pounds of pastillage, 30 pounds of chocolate, and 50 pounds of royal icing.

The China Room has been turned into a sweet shop set, with cakes, cookies, and gingerbread taking up the space as well as baking ingredients to remind guests the joys of family recipes and baking during the holiday.

The First Lady's post had over 45,000 likes at the time of press, with a number of positive comments. One fan wrote: "Thank you Mrs. Biden for continuing the tradition of decorating the White House. It looks so beautiful!"

Another made a sly dig at the previous First Lady Melania Trump, and wrote: "Finally somebody knows how to decorate the White House!!!! That last one had no taste!"

But some felt the decorations weren't appropriate, given the state of global affairs. An overwhelming number of comments made similar remarks.

One wrote: "How about children in Gaza and how they experience the season. This is tone deaf."

Another: "How tone deaf can you be?!"

"Shame. Shame. The poor kids of Gaza will never know any celebrations," one wrote.

Another said: "This is gorgeous but with all due respect children as a theme feels out of touch given how many are currently having their lives ruined or snuffed out via American bombs in Gaza."