PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, WASHINGTON, DC: A mighty gust of wind decided to play Grinch and toppled the National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC's President's Park on Tuesday, November 28, just days before the much-anticipated annual lighting ceremony.
Undeterred, the National Park Service and its event partners are embracing the spirit of resilience, exploring every avenue to ensure that this year's celebration remains a success.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony has a rich history, dating back to Christmas Eve in 1923. Fast forward to the present, and the tradition continues to shine brightly.
This year's ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, is set to be graced by the presence of President Joe Biden, the first lady, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the second gentleman.
Toppling of the National Christmas Tree tests the resilience of the holiday spirit
A crane worked its magic on the evening of Tuesday, November 28, attempting to lift the National Christmas Tree that had taken an unexpected tumble, as per CBS affiliate WUSA-TV reports.
As of 6 pm, the tree was standing tall once more, adorned with decorations, thanks to the efforts of the Park Service.
An evaluation of the tree's condition revealed a snapped cable, promptly replaced to ensure its holiday glory. There was added an extra challenge as the winds were blowing at up to 20 mph (32 kph) in the area on the day.
This year's tree had already faced a twist of fate, being replaced once due to a fungus affecting the initially chosen tree for the ceremony. Christmas trees have their battles with various diseases, as noted by the US Department of Agriculture.
The resilience of the holiday spirit is truly being put to the test.
Internet reacts to the fall of the National Christmas Tree
Soon after the footage of the National Christmas Tree's fall made its way to the internet, netizens couldn't help but leave hilarious remarks.
One wrote, "The White House Christmas tree toppling over. The perfect depiction of Joe Biden and the state of America," attaching a video of the incident.
Another said, "God’s way of saying….Nah!"
A person added, "The White House Christmas tree has fallen just like the country," with someone else noting, "The perfect metaphor for Biden's America in 2023."
One more quipped, "Probably gonna blame it on Trump."
"God has a sense of humor," jokingly added another person.
For those who fail to catch the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, CBS has got it covered, with a broadcast of the event scheduled for December 15.