Trump says he wants 'peace for the country' in Christmas Eve call with a child

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) Santa Tracker phone calls with children at Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 24, 2017. | REUTERS/Carlos Barria

President Donald Trump has told a child during a Christmas Eve phone call that one of the items on his wish list this holiday season was "peace for the country."

Trump and first lady Melania Trump spoke to children on the phone on Sunday as part of the tradition on Christmas Eve when the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) purports to track the flight of Santa and his reindeer-pulled sleigh.

The tradition reportedly started in 1955 when a department store misprinted a phone number, sending a flood of calls to a NORAD colonel, who played along.

This year, the president took six calls and the first lady took nine, asking the children what they wanted most from Santa and sharing information about his whereabouts.

One boy reportedly asked for building blocks while another wished for his grandma to get out of the hospital.

During one phone call, Trump said that his Christmas wish was peace for the country. "We've got prosperity — now we want peace," Trump told a child named Ryan, according to The Christian Post.

According to The Hill, Trump and the first lady were connected randomly with children, who were not aware that they would be speaking with the first couple.

In another call, Trump invited one child from Mississippi to come to the Oval Office sometime and predicted that the kids would have the greatest Christmas ever.

"I'll make a prediction — Santa is going to treat you well. Really well. The best he's ever treated you," the president told the child.

The first family celebrated Christmas at Mar-a-Lago, their private beach resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

In their Christmas message on Monday, Trump and the first lady urged Americans to celebrate the "miracle of Christmas" with each other.

Melania Trump stated that Christmas was a time to "see the best of America and the soul of the American people."

The president went on to share the Christmas message from Scripture, saying: "For Christians, we remember the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph that began more than 2,000 years ago. As the book of Isaiah tells us, for to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This good news is the greatest Christmas gift of all, the reason for our joy and the true source of our hope."

The first lady also paid tribute to the Armed forces and further noted that the Christmas season was a time for celebration and thanksgiving for blessings Americans received and a chance to pray for peace around the world.