As the British say, "Happy Christmas!"

Yesterday, the White released photos of the walkway that they proudly announced had been personally decorated for Christmas by Melania Trump.  The reaction was pronounced, and deservedly so.  If you haven't seen the photos, my response was writing, "Nothing says Christmas like black-and-white Gothic horror."  Someone asked what earthly tradition this was supposed to be observing, and I said the German Krampus -- that country's terrifying Christmas monster -- in honor of the Trump family Drumpf heritage.  It's the sort of thing that makes the opening song line, "You'd better watch out..." not a joyous anticipation of Santa Claus, but rather a warning of utter terror.

Today, I saw pictures of the same area comparing the Obama White House to this year's design from Melania Trump.  As truly awful as the standalone photos were, if a picture is worth a thousand words, this explains the two administrations in a 12-volume collection.

To be fair -- and we do like to be there -- this image of the Trump Christmas is not how it looks in all conditions.  To be clear, it was not photoshopped, it came from from what is clearly now a terribly lit, poor angle photo sent out by Melania Trump's spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham. Other images (and an official video) look far nicer and brighter, albeit a bit sterile. But not like a horror movie. However -- in case anyone insists to the contrary, no, that wasn't photoshopped.