There’s a light on the White House and there’s just a show, folks.
Former Vice President Joe Biden helped light the National Christmas Tree near the White House on Monday night, though the ceremony took place a few blocks away from the Capitol.
The evening began with a concert by the Washington National Opera, which was simulcast on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Biden gave the annual remarks before music continued to sing “Let It Snow” and other holiday favorites.
His remarks touched on both President Donald Trump and the president’s wife, Melania, saying “even when the going gets tough, the tough get going” – a twist on the words to “Auld Lang Syne.”
Biden got a surprise when one of the singers made an impromptu appearance and threw the vice president a Christmas sweater, which Biden wore for the event.
Trump’s visit to the ceremony on the North Lawn comes less than two weeks after he abruptly canceled his Florida trip to Mar-a-Lago, saying he didn’t want to distract from the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.