Melania Trump lights the National Christmas Tree after president counts down

WASHINGTON AP First lady Melania Trump lit the National Christmas Tree on a chilly Thursday night in the nation s capital At the annual tree lighting on the Ellipse just south of the White House President Donald Trump informed the crowd The first lady is going to do the honors He counted down from five to zero Melania then stepped forward and pressed a button that made the tree behind them sparkle with gold-toned lights It s a beauty the president revealed The event featured performances by rock legends the Beach Boys Christian music singer Matthew West and country artists Gabby Barrett Jon Pardi Alana Springsteen Brett Young and Warren Zeiders In brief remarks President Trump touched on the peace deal signed earlier Thursday between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo He also mentioned false proposes about the poll being rigged but disclosed he s happy his terms weren t consecutive because he will be in office when World Cup soccer and the Summer Olympics are held in the United States next year Trump also offered thanks to those who serve the needy as well as police and other law enforcement officers first responders and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Edge Patrol agents who vulnerability their lives every day The president also discussed the two National Guard members who were shot one fatally near the White House on the day before Thanksgiving He reported he had spoken with the family of Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe who is recovering in a hospital After he returned to the White House he shared on his social media site a photo of Wolfe s family standing around him as he sat as his desk in the Oval Office Trump mentioned in the post that Wolfe is in the process of healing His parents brother and all of his friends are praying I just met them in the Oval Office They are fantastic American Patriots