Melania Trump is back in the holiday headlines, and honestly, it feels like 2018 all over again. You remember the red "blood trees"? Or the stark white branches that the internet turned into a horror movie meme? Well, the former First Lady has moved from decorating the White House halls to selling the decor itself, and people have thoughts. Lots of them. Specifically, Melania Trump criticized for a $75 patriotic Christmas ornament became a massive talking point the second she dropped her "Merry Christmas, America!" collection.
It’s a brass star. It’s got her signature engraved on it. And it costs seventy-five bucks. Actually, some versions, like the "USA Star," go up to $90. For a lot of folks, that price tag felt like a bit of a gut punch, especially when paired with the "patriotic" branding. But as with anything involving the Trumps, there is a lot more under the hood than just a shiny piece of metal.
Why the $75 Price Tag Caused a Stir
Basically, the backlash was two-pronged. First, there’s the price. We’re talking about a brass ornament with some enamel. Critics on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram were quick to point out that you can get a pretty nice patriotic star at a craft store for about five dollars. When you slap a $75 to $90 price tag on something, you’re selling a brand, not just a product.
Then there’s the "signature" factor. Every ornament comes with Melania’s signature etched into it. For supporters, this makes it a "limited-edition collectible." For critics? It’s a "cash grab." The timing also raised eyebrows. Launching a high-priced retail line while her husband was in the heat of a campaign (and facing massive legal bills) led many to suggest the ornaments were less about holiday cheer and more about the bottom line.
The "Who Cares About Christmas" Audio
You can't talk about this controversy without mentioning the ghost of Christmas past. Social media users were quick to dig up that infamous 2018 leaked audio. You know the one—where she’s heard saying, "Who gives a f** about the Christmas stuff and decorations?"* It’s a bit of a PR nightmare to go from "who cares" to "please buy my $75 star" in the span of a few years. Critics called it "peak hypocrisy." Her supporters, however, argue that the audio was taken out of context. They say she was frustrated with the media's constant nitpicking of her work, not the holiday itself. Regardless of what she meant then, the internet never forgets, and that quote was used as a weapon the moment the "Merry Christmas, America!" site went live.
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What the Collection Actually Includes
If you’re curious about what $75 gets you, the collection wasn't just one item. It was a whole vibe.
- The USA Star: An 8-point brass design with red, white, and blue enamel ($90).
- Vote Liberty: A smaller piece that actually sold out pretty fast ($75).
- Love & Freedom: Another brass design featuring her signature ($75).
- Digital Collectibles: Here is where it gets weirdly modern. Every physical ornament purchase includes a 3D animated digital collectible (an NFT) on the Solana blockchain.
The "digital collectible" aspect is a very Trump-era addition. You don't just get a thing for your tree; you get a thing for your digital wallet. To buy it, you actually have to set up a crypto wallet on MelaniaTrump.com.
The Charity Connection: Fostering the Future
Melania didn't just put these out for fun; she linked them to her "Be Best" initiative, specifically a program called "Fostering the Future." According to her site, a portion of the proceeds goes toward providing scholarships and technology education for children aging out of the foster care system.
The problem? Critics pointed out that the site doesn't specify exactly how much of that $75 goes to the kids. Is it $1? Is it $50? Without a clear percentage, skeptics were hesitant to call it a purely charitable endeavor. However, she has spent the last year doubling down on this cause, even securing an Executive Order in late 2025 to unite federal and private resources for foster youth.
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How Does It Compare to Other "Celeb" Ornaments?
To be fair, the luxury ornament market is a real thing. If you walk into Tiffany & Co. or Baccarat, you’re going to see ornaments that make $75 look like pocket change.
- Christopher Radko ornaments often retail for $60–$100.
- Swarovski annual edition stars usually hover around $80.
- White House Historical Association ornaments are much cheaper, usually around $25–$30.
The comparison to the official White House Historical Association ornament is the one that really stung. Those are the "gold standard" for patriotic decor, they're non-partisan, and they cost less than half of Melania's version. That’s likely why the Melania Trump criticized for a $75 patriotic christmas ornament narrative gained so much traction—it felt out of step with the "for the people" branding of the MAGA movement.
Real Talk: Is It Worth It?
Whether this ornament is a "rip-off" or a "treasure" is entirely up to who you ask.
If you’re a collector of political memorabilia or a die-hard fan of the former First Lady, $75 for a signed, American-made brass ornament with a digital twin is probably a solid deal. It's a piece of history, love her or hate her.
If you’re just looking for a nice star for your tree and you don't care about the name brand, yeah, $75 is objectively high for brass and enamel.
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Actionable Insights for Collectors
If you are thinking about buying one—or any high-end political memorabilia—keep these things in mind:
- Check the Material: Ensure it's actually brass and made in the USA (as these are) rather than cheap plastic imports.
- Verify the Signature: On these ornaments, the signature is engraved, not hand-signed. It’s part of the mold, which affects the long-term resale value.
- Digital Wallets: Since these include NFTs, make sure you actually know how to access your Solana wallet. If you lose the keys, you lose half the value of the "package."
- Resale Market: Check sites like eBay. Interestingly, some of her past ornaments have actually appreciated in value among collectors, while others sit at their original retail price.
Ultimately, the controversy is just another chapter in the long, complicated relationship between Melania Trump and the American holiday season. She does things her way, whether it's blood-red trees or $75 brass stars. If you want a piece of that legacy on your tree, you just have to decide if the "signature" is worth the surcharge.
To move forward with your own holiday planning or collecting, you should compare the craftsmanship of the "Celebrating America" line against the official White House Historical Association releases to see which aesthetic fits your home best. Take a look at the secondary market on platforms like eBay to see if previous years' ornaments are holding their value before you drop nearly $100 on a new one.