LIVE: Biden Delivers Remarks at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

You get a car, you get a car. No, I'm just kidding. Not in this economy. Good evening, and welcome to the National Christmas Tree Lighting. We are here at the White House in President's Park in Washington, DC to light up the world's most famous and beautiful Christmas tree. Just a few steps from the world's most famous house. For over 100 years, this cherished American tradition brings our country together. A country of different faiths, ideologies, and a melting pot of individuals under one moment of joy and love. As we all share in tonight's festivities, creating treasured moments together, we also offer a special moment of thanks and deep appreciation to all our men and women in uniform serving this great nation around the world. So wherever they are, let's make sure they feel our gratitude for all that they have done and all that they have given for this great land. I think we can be a little louder than that. And now it is my great honor to welcome our 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden and the Jones family. Merry Christmas, everyone. Merry Christmas. This Christmas tree lighting is one of my wife Jill's favorite events. So she truly regrets not being here tonight. She's on an international trip in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Sicily in order to promote women's health research. She sends her best wishes to all of you on behalf of Kamala and Doug. Where are Kamala and Doug? There you go. Welcome to, on behalf of them, welcome to the National Christmas Tree Lighting. Thank you. Mickey, all the artists performing tonight, special thanks to the Jones family for their service and sacrifice in our military family. Tonight, to help light this beautiful tree. Mickey, will you start the countdown? All right, y'all. Let's count down together, people. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Whoa. Folks, as you gather here at President's Park just outside the White House, a special thanks to the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation. I mean it. This 30-foot red spruce represents the spirit embodied in this year's White House holiday theme, which Jill unveiled earlier this week. The theme is the season of peace and light, of peace and light. Peace we feel as we pause and reflect on our blessings. And the light, the light we see as we gather with loved ones and cherish our time together. During this season of reflection and renewal, many of us will sing, O Holy Night, phrasing our song as, as law is love, as gospel is peace. May we wish for you and for the nation, now and always, we continue to seek the light of liberty and love, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency. Merry Christmas, America. Merry Christmas to all of you. May God bless you all. And may God protect, may God protect our troops. Thank you, thank you, thank you. He gave it to me.