The internet trolls Donald Trump over his Christmas tree lighting crowd turnout
'Tis the season to analyze crowd sizes simply because you know it will irk the president deep down to his core, right?
Donald Trump's infamous crowd size debate, which was first ignited with a comparison of Barack Obama and Trump's inauguration crowds, has returned for the holidays and once again. (Sad!)
SEE ALSO: Who pulled the bigger crowd: Trump or Obama?
On Thursday night, President Trump and first lady Melania traditionally lit the National Christmas Tree outside of the White House. And though the 95th annual lighting itself went smoothly, photographs taken from the back of the event look like they're about to stir up some trouble.
Several Twitter users shared photographs that show dozens upon dozens of empty chairs.
The National Tree Lighting ceremony was beautiful this evening - but hard not to notice the empty seats. #Christmas #DMV #USA pic.twitter.com/oKMrnnBekG
— Steve Rudin ABC7 (@SteveRudinABC7) November 30, 2017
Traditionally the White House Christmas tree lighting is standing room only. This is what it looked like tonight as President Trump spoke.
📸@SteveRudinABC7 pic.twitter.com/5nYRJTbvsP— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) December 1, 2017
Because this seems like something that might prompt Sean Spicer to jump out of the bushes and claim that Trump's event brought in the greatest turnout at any tree lighting in history, people began to compare Trump's attendance to Obama's past tree lighting ceremonies, cracking all sorts of inauguration crowd-related jokes in the process.
On the left: @BarackObama’s National Tree Lighting
On the right: @realDonaldTrump’s National Tree Lighting #Christmas pic.twitter.com/wYoLJRO2r6— Jeremy Dickey (@JeremyDDickey) November 30, 2017
Biggest crowd ever to watch the National Tree Lighting ceremony. Of course, only if you ignore President Obama's. pic.twitter.com/em2vWaR9GO
— SpinDoctor (@SpinDr) December 1, 2017
The crowd for the National Christmas Tree lighting by Trump looks about the same size as for his inauguration. pic.twitter.com/HYBkKD9piX
— Terry J. Richard (@trichardpdx) December 1, 2017
Trump's national Christmas tree lighting ceremony drew the biggest crowd in history ... Period. pic.twitter.com/asMFrhR8Ca
— Michael Coates (@Jukehorse50) December 1, 2017
When asked to describe the crowd size at this year's White House Christmas tree lighting ceremony. pic.twitter.com/MzVWPZhl4Y
— harleyb (@harleyb11) December 1, 2017
This is the largest crowd that has ever attended a National Tree Lighting in history. Period! https://t.co/vfo1UjcgGP
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) December 1, 2017
Trump is obsessed with crowd sizes. His tree lighting ceremony was a bust! Retweet!! It will destroy his fragile and oversized ego!! RT! https://t.co/A8JnCSl6bR
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) December 1, 2017
The photographs appear to be taken from the same rear angle, so perhaps that's where the press were gathered.
Professional wire images give the appearance of a packed and lively event, though it should also be noted that professional shots only the first few rows. Hmmmm...
Image: Andrew Harnik/AP/REX/Shutterstock
In all fairness, attendance numbers of Trump and Obama's tree lighting are unknown, but after Trump's former press secretary, Sean Spicer, infamously said Trump had "the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period" — a blatant lie — the opportunity to troll was just too good to pass up.
Merry Christmas, Trump! Hope your holiday cheer remains larger than your tiny crowds.
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