President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden participated in their first National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony while in office Thursday night – that was far more star-studded than those of the Trump era.
This year’s line-up included Billy Porter, Patti LaBelle, Kristin Chenoweth, Chris Stapleton and H.E.R., among others.
The National Christmas Tree sits in President’s Park in the Ellipse to the south of the White House, and Biden marked the 99th year for the lighting ceremony.
Emcee, rapper and actor LL Cool J, had to announce the president and first lady’s arrival twice – as the tree lighting is a pre-taped event to be aired on television later, so there are generally some kinks with cues.
President Joe Biden (left) and First Lady Jill Biden (right) arrive to attend the National Christmas Tree lighting on the Ellipse Thursday night
President Joe Biden and First Lady Joe Biden (right) are seen lighting up the National Christmas Tree at an event Thursday night, which will later be televised. The White House can be seen in the background
President Joe Biden (right) and First Lady Jill Biden (left) appeared behind glass at the National Christmas Tree, which is a pre-taped to be aired on television at a later date
Performer Billy Porter (left) stands alongside the tree lighting’s host, rapper and actor LL Cool J (right)
Patti Labelle performs with Howard University Gospel Choir during the National Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Ellipse
When the president got onstage, he pointed to the podium with the presidential seal and asked, ‘do I speak from here?’
‘Is everybody having a good time so far? Let’s kick off the evening by lighting up the star of the show, the National Christmas Tree. Everybody ready? Let’s count down,’ Biden said.
Biden counted down from five, as the 27-foot white fir from Pennsylvania, planted several weeks before, lit up in red and white behind him.
Dr. Biden did the honors and pushed the button to turn the tree’s lights on.
‘I like that job,’ President Biden said.
LL Cool J replied, ‘It’s a great job.’
President Joe Biden (center) tried to compliment LL Cool J’s (left) physique: ‘He looks like he can still play and I’m not talking about instruments, I’m talking about football or something’
Billy Porter performs at the National Christmas Tree lighting Thursday night at the Ellipse in Washington
Actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth performed ‘The Man With The Bag’ prior to the Bidens’ arrival at President’s Park
The Howard University Gospel Choir performs before President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attend the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff (right) arrive at Thursday night’s National Tree Lighting
Stage workers clean the bullet proof glass in front of the podium before President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attend the National Christmas Tree
LL Cool J stayed several feet away from the president and first lady, who were kept behind glass.
‘For our safety, I am going to stand over here and social distance. I don’t want to cough on you or anything like that,’ the host said.
Later, when Biden gave a longer address to the audience, he tried to compliment LL Cool J’s physique.
‘He looks like he can still play and I’m not talking about instruments, I’m talking about football or something, man,’ Biden said.
During his second appearance onstage, he was introduced by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
‘Over the course of the past 99 years, presidents have continued this great American tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree, through war and peace, struggle and progress,’ he said.
‘You know, for the evergreen tree reminds us that even in the coldest, darkest days of winter that life and abundance will return,’ the president continued. ‘It’s a bright beacon of hope that reminds us of the promise we find in scripture of finding light in darkness, which is also a very American thing to do – perhaps the most American of things, to find light.’
‘And it’s important to continue traditions like this one to remember that simple truth today,’ he added.
He turned to the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘For all those lost during the pandemic, we have also seen how much that there is to gain, the appreciation and gratitude of the gift of time and the light of goodwill that we share as we look out for one another,’ the president said.
Biden thanked American servicemembers.
‘We also have to keep in our hearts those who lost loved ones because of this virus, or any other cruel twist of fate or accident,’ the president said.
His first wife and baby daughter were killed in a car accident while out shopping for Christmas presents in December 1972.
‘We are a great nation because of you, the American people, you are good people, because of you we will never be more optimistic about the future,’ Biden said.
Maren Morris performs during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
U.S. Army Band Downrange performed at Thursday night’s National Christmas Tree lighting at the Ellipse in Washington
‘You’ve made me so optimistic,’ he continued. ‘We have so much ahead of us.’
The president quoted a Catholic prayer before signing off.
‘So Merry Christmas, America. May God bless you all and may God protect our troops.’
Before the Bidens’ arrival, singer and actress Chenoweth performed ‘The Man With The Bag.’
Porter performed directly after, singing ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’
Other performers include Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, Maren Morris, U.S. Army Band Downrange and the Howard University Gospel Choir.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff sat in the front row of the audience and were greeted by the Bidens after they lit up the tree.
This year’s National Tree Lighting featured more prominent stars compared to last year’s lighting with former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, whose guests included a number of country artists.
The National Tree Lighting ceremony will air on CBS on December 5 at 8:30 p.m. EST.