In a notable change from previous years, the White House has chosen not to display Christmas stockings for President Joe Biden’s grandchildren as part of its festive decorations. The adjustment comes as the President recently publicly acknowledged his seventh grandchild for the first time.
During the reveal of the White House’s 2023 Christmas decorations by First Lady Jill Biden, attendees observed the absence of the customary stockings. The State Dining Room, which previously showcased the stockings, featured festive garland and toy soldier robots instead, as reported by The New York Post.
In her address, the First Lady highlighted the holiday season as a time of reflection and gratitude, as well as an opportunity to be present with loved ones. While she described the enchanting decor of the State Dining Room, reminiscent of Santa’s workshop, she did not comment on the omission of the stockings.
The decision coincides with President Biden’s July acknowledgment of Navy Joan Roberts, his son Hunter’s child with Lunden Roberts. The acknowledgment followed years of the President referring to his “six grandchildren,” despite having seven.
The younger Biden, who initially disputed paternity, was confirmed as the father through a DNA test in 2019. Subsequent legal proceedings led to a paternity and child support settlement in March 2020, which was recently revisited when Hunter Biden sought to amend the child support arrangements.
As part of a June settlement in the Arkansas case, Hunter Biden agreed to provide his daughter with some of his artwork, and the child’s mother consented to withdraw a request to change her daughter’s surname to Biden.
The White House has yet to issue a statement regarding the change in holiday tradition or the broader implications of the President’s family dynamics as reflected in the decision to adjust the festive display.