The White House Christmas party, usually a time for communal happiness and celebration, is quickly devolving into an ugly, partisan, bigoted affair under the reign of Donald Trump.
CNN has already voiced its intention to boycott the event due to the president’s repeated attacks on the free press and his White House’s unparalleled penchant for mendacity.
Now, Pink News reports that Trump’s administration has decided not to invite LGBTQ and black reporters to the Christmas party. Pink adds that it’s the first time LGBTQ reporters have been excluded from the festivities since the George W. Bush administration and the first time in two decades that black reporters have been.
The Washington Blade, one of the most renowned and oldest LGBT publications in the world, was excluded this year. Chris Johnson, the chief political reporter and White House correspondent for the Blade, said he realized he hadn’t received an invite around the end of November, but presumed it was a mistake.
Johnson emailed the White House to figure out the problem but was directed to numerous different spokespeople without receiving an explanation.
“It is consistent with the White House press secretary not calling on me during the on-camera press briefings,” Johnson told Pink News. He has only been called on to ask a question twice in over half a year. This year is the first time he hasn’t been invited to the White House Christmas party in twenty years.
It appears that Trump’s bigotry is being filtered through First Lady Melania Trump, who is responsible for planning parties like the Christmas celebration. Had she wanted the LGBTQ community to be represented, she could have ensured they were invited. Her decision to throw her lot in with her vile husband makes her a viable target for criticism going forward. A shameful era has fallen over the White House.
