Ever since leaked audio tapes in which Melania Trump complained about her Christmas responsibilities during her husband’s first term, she’s had a reputation for being like the Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge. But as the first lady, she continues to participate in Christmas traditions anyway — and doesn’t always seem super enthusiastic about them. On December 5, she participated in one of the first lady holiday traditions by visiting a children’s hospital. While at Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC, she interacted with patients and their families, gave out gifts, and read “How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?” by Mac Barnett.
On social media, many people found the hospital visit super sweet, but critics noticed something off about the way she read the book to the children at the hospital.
She didn’t appear to show the kids any pictures.
As a video of Melania reading the book to kids at the hospital started circulating online, some people commented on how heartwarming it was. But others noticed a glaring issue: Melania’s reading didn’t seem particularly engaging. In addition to having “absolutely no enthusiasm in her voice,” according to some viewers, she also didn’t appear to show the kids any of the pictures in the book.
“It was obvious by the fact that Melania never turned the book to show children the pictures that she has never read a book to a child in her life,” one person wrote on X. To many, the idea of holding up the book and showing the pictures to the kids seemed quite obvious, which is why people are convinced Melania had never read a book to children before.
Girl, same. pic.twitter.com/VJAZwR3Niw
— Allison Floyd (@AllisonRFloyd) December 6, 2025
“As someone who does storytime every week… girl, you gotta show the pictures,” someone wrote on Instagram. “I’m seriously gonna use this video as a prime example of how NOT to do a storytime when I teach the basics to new employees.”
A few days later, Barack Obama showed her how it’s done.
Melania…take notes‼️
This is how you read to and engage with children‼️ pic.twitter.com/mLo9aeYPbQ— Meidas_Charise Lee (@charise_lee) December 10, 2025
The former president stopped by the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library on Tuesday, December 9 to read a book to elementary school students. After seeing how he interacted with the children (and actually showed them the pictures in the book he was reading), people suggested that maybe Melania should be taking notes.
“The difference in how he reads to children, and how [Melania] tried to read to children is astounding,” one person wrote. “I can’t wrap my head around the fact that she didn’t know how to read a book to kids.”
Of course, there are plenty of other examples Melania could learn from. Someone else shared a clip of former first lady Jill Biden reading a children’s book for Melania’s reference. “When you read a book to children…. You show them the pictures Look at Jill, this is how you do it,” they pointed out.
When you read a book to children….
You show them the pictures
Look at Jill, this is how you do it pic.twitter.com/vj2aj7hwA4— Sibylle (@AHaschi) December 6, 2025
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