--- title: Barack Obama and Santa Claus Dance: Video description: Clearly the President is being a good sport to make sure he gets on Santa's "nice" list canonical: https://time.com/3620143/barack-obama-dances-with-santa/ author: Olivia B. Waxman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2014-12-05T15:36:29.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:43:26.669Z og:title: Watch Obama Break Out His Best Dad Dance Moves With Santa og:description: Clearly the President is being a good sport to make sure he gets on Santa's "nice" list og:url: https://time.com/3620143/barack-obama-dances-with-santa/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb8225ce9b20c3c00/69876cfaa988caaed46ab34d/obama-santa-national-christmas-tree-lighting-white-house.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1500 og:image:height: 844 og:image:alt: obama-santa-national-christmas-tree-lighting-white-house og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Watch Obama Break Out His Best Dad Dance Moves With Santa twitter:description: Clearly the President is being a good sport to make sure he gets on Santa's "nice" list twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb8225ce9b20c3c00/69876cfaa988caaed46ab34d/obama-santa-national-christmas-tree-lighting-white-house.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Watch Obama Break Out His Best Dad Dance Moves With Santa > Sponsored content. 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The Brief is available free at time.com/newsletters, where readers can select it along with any of TIME's other six newsletters. There is no subscription required to receive it. #### Is The Brief free? Yes. The Brief is a free daily email newsletter from TIME. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes The Brief? The Brief is led by editor Richard Hall and draws on reporting from TIME's newsroom. Every edition is assembled by TIME editors rather than generated automatically. ## Video: The Top 7 Political Dance Moves [Watch (HLS stream): The Top 7 Political Dance Moves](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/3vO7g8xG.m3u8) (1:02)  _Published 2014-01-14. The people that run government aren't that smooth on the dance floor..._  by [Olivia B. Waxman](https://time.com/author/olivia-b-waxman/)  ## Olivia B. Waxman Staff Writer Dec 5, 2014 3:36 PM UTC  President Barack Obama dances on stage with Santa, members of Fifth Harmony, left, Chely Wright, Nico & Vinz and a member of The Tenors, behind, during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House, Dec. 4, 2014. President Barack Obama dances on stage with Santa, members of Fifth Harmony, left, Chely Wright, Nico & Vinz and a member of The Tenors, behind, during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House, Dec. 4, 2014. Carolyn Kaster—AP  by [Olivia B. Waxman](https://time.com/author/olivia-b-waxman/)  ## Olivia B. Waxman Staff Writer Dec 5, 2014 3:36 PM UTC During the National Christmas Tree Lighting at the White House Thursday night, President Barack Obama attempted to keep things light by breaking it down with Santa Claus. He gave ‘ol Saint Nick an enthusiastic high-five, and then the President started grooving, basically moving his hands, which were in a thumbs-up position, from side to side, before dancing his way off the stage. At one point, you can even see Santa saying something to the President. Maybe it was in response to Obama’s Christmas list, which we imagine is made up of requests like more bipartisan cooperation in Congress, or coal in the stockings of those who have challenged his authority. **MORE:** [So You Think You Can Dance? Washington Edition](http://newsfeed.time.com/2014/01/14/you-think-you-can-dance-washington-edition/): ### See the White House Christmas Decorations  Secret Service agents stand in front of a Christmas tree at the North Portico of the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  Holiday decorations in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden of of the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  A portrait of President Lincoln in the State Dining Room at the White House is surrounded by holiday decorations. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  A member of the military stands near holiday decorations at the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  A military officer stands near holiday lights decorating a hallway in the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  The official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room at the White House. The 18 foot tree has over 2000 ornaments. A total of 26 Christmas trees are part of the decorations. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  A portrait of former first lady Nancy Reagan next to holiday decorations in the East Wing of the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  A dress mannequin in the shape of a Christmas tree in the Vermeil Room at the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  U.S. first lady Michelle Obama decorates holiday crafts with military children at the State Dining Room of the White House. The first lady hosted military families to preview the holiday decorations, which are themed 'A Children's Winter Wonderland' this year. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  White House waiters during a preview of the holiday decorations at the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  The official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room at the White House. The 18 foot tree has over 2000 ornaments. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  Holiday decorations at the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  A sound technician works amongst holiday decorations at the White House. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  Figures of the Obama's two dogs in front of a gingerbread White House, as part of the holiday decorations at the WHite House. 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