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The ghost of Christmas future: Trump vows to run in 2024 - unless he manages to cling on to presidency - during speech to maskless guests at White House Xmas party

President Trump has vowed to return to the White House 'in four years' if he doesn't manage to cling onto the presidency now with his claims of election fraud following Joe Biden's win.

The president hosted a Christmas reception at the White House on Tuesday evening  where he teased a 2024 run and once again repeated allegations that he was the true winner of the presidential race earlier this month.

'It's been an amazing four years. We are trying to do another four years,' Trump told the crowd, which included many Republican National Committee members.

President Trump teased a 2024 run at the White House Christmas party Tuesday pic.twitter.com/ok8Xzte5Pz

— USA GAG (@USAGAG2) December 2, 2020

Trump was heard addressing the crowd in a video shared on social media by former Oklahoma Republican Party Chair Pam Pollard.

The footage showed dozens of people crammed into the Cross Hall of the White House state floor, standing closely together as they listened to the president speak. 

Many seen in the video were not wearing masks.

The majority of guests were Republican National Committee members
Footage of the event was shared by a guest on social media and showed dozens of people - many who were not wearing masks - crammed into the Cross Hall of the White House state floor.

Trump was filmed making his entrance as he waved to a crowd of cheering guests.  

He then went on to deliver a speech repeating election fraud claims, despite his attorney general Bill Barr telling the AP just hours earlier that the Justice Department had not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud and had seen nothing that would change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

'It's certainly an unusual year. We won an election, but they don't like that,' Trump told the group, adding: 'I call it a rigged election, and I always will.'

The video showed attendees standing closely together as they listened to the president speak
The video showed attendees standing closely together as they listened to the president speak.

The comments come days after Trump finally admitted he would leave office if the Electoral College votes for Biden later this month.

Since the election was called in Biden's favor, Trump had repeatedly claimed he was unfairly robbed and had also teased a 2024 run should he be forced to concede.

Tuesday night's party marks one of multiple holiday receptions the Trumps will hold this month, intent on celebrating a final season before the president leaves office on January 20.     

The celebrations come as coronavirus cases have spiked throughout the country, as Washington D.C. has cracked down on the size of gatherings, and medical experts have asked people to scale back their holiday plans to avoid any super spreader events. 

The White House has been the site of at least one suspected COVID-19 superspreader event, and dozens of the president's aides, campaign staffers and allies have tested positive in numerous outbreaks.

Trump himself was hospitalized for the virus in October, and the first lady and two of his sons have tested positive. Numerous others have had to quarantine.

One person invited to a reception told USA GAG earlier on Tuesday that the invitation made no mention of face masks or any COVID-related precautions.

Former Oklahoma Republican Party Chair Pam Pollard (pictured) shared a video of Trump's remarks on social media
Former Oklahoma Republican Party Chair Pam Pollard (pictured) shared a video of Trump's remarks on social media.

The holiday events range from tours of the White House holiday decorations - Melania Trump unveiled her 'America the Beautiful' theme on Monday - to cocktail receptions to black tie balls. 

Invitations go out a variety of people, including the president's supporters, White House staff and their families, donors, lawmakers, and senior staffers on Capitol Hill. 

The annual Congressional Ball, a black-tie event held on December 10, is the biggest party of the White House season.  

The Republican Party pays for the events, The Washington Post reported, which can run up to millions of dollars. 

The White House packed calendar comes as work places around the nation have canceled holiday gatherings out of precaution and families are spending holidays apart due to the coronavirus.  

Decorations in the red room are dedicated to first responders, front line workers and essential employees like grocery store workers
Decorations in the red room are dedicated to first responders, front line workers and essential employees like grocery store workers.

The White House parties this year will be smaller than they were in the past and there will be COVID precautions in place, a spokesperson for the first lady said.

'The People's House will celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah while providing the safest environment possible. This includes smaller guest lists, masks will be required and available, social distancing encouraged while on the White House grounds, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the State Floor,' Melania's chief of staff Stephanie Grisham said. 

She noted the food will be individually plated and all service staff will wear masks and gloves. 

'Attending the parties will be a very personal choice. It is a longstanding tradition for people to visit and enjoy the cheer and iconic decor of the annual White House Christmas celebrations,' Grisham said.

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