A Presidential Christmas Eve: Tracking Santa with NORAD

Ah, Christmas Eve. There’s truly nothing quite like it, is there? That palpable hum of anticipation, the cookies left out, the whispers of Santa’s sleigh bells just beyond the horizon. For decades, millions of children worldwide have found a little extra comfort and excitement through NORAD’s Santa Tracker, an absolutely charming tradition that reassures them Santa is indeed on his way. But imagine, if you will, being one of those children, making a call to NORAD to check on the big guy’s progress, and then, suddenly, hearing the voice of the President of the United States on the other end of the line.

That’s precisely what happened back in 2017 when then-President Donald Trump, alongside First Lady Melania Trump, took a turn answering calls from eager children participating in the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s annual tracking efforts. It was a fascinating moment, adding a truly unique, dare I say, almost surreal, layer to an already magical evening. The White House switchboard, usually buzzing with matters of state, was, for a few precious hours, transformed into a direct line to Christmas wonder.

President Trump sat there, phone to ear, engaging with children who were undoubtedly on cloud nine, getting updates directly from the nation's highest office. One particular interaction, though, really stood out and frankly, became a moment that people still chuckle about. He famously asked a child named Collman Lloyd, "Are you still a believer in Santa?" – a question that, honestly, raised a few eyebrows and certainly sparked a chuckle or two among adults. You know, it’s one of those questions that makes you pause and think, 'Hmm, interesting choice for a kid on Christmas Eve!'

First Lady Melania Trump, ever graceful, was also right there, sharing in the tradition, offering her own warm wishes and updates on Santa’s journey. Her presence brought a lovely balance to the calls, ensuring that the magic of the moment was truly shared. It underscored the point that, regardless of politics, certain traditions simply transcend the everyday and unite us in a common, joyful spirit.

The NORAD Santa Tracker itself has a rather endearing origin story, tracing back to a misdialed number in 1955 when a Sears Roebuck advertisement accidentally printed the phone number for CONAD (NORAD’s predecessor) as the direct line to Santa. Colonel Harry Shoup, the operations director on duty, could have simply hung up, but instead, he and his team started giving children updates on Santa's position. And just like that, a beautiful, unexpected tradition was born – one that has brought smiles to countless faces, including, for a brief moment, those of a President and First Lady on a very special Christmas Eve.