Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) brought props to his highly anticipated debate against Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA). DeSantis displayed a copy of Gender Queer: A Memoir, a graphic book written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe, during the pair’s discussion about education and parental rights. The governor contended it was an instance of a book taught in California’s public schools but banned from Florida’s curricula.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shut down her briefing with national security spokesman John Kirby after one correspondent would not stop speaking over another reporter. Jean-Pierre repeatedly warned Today News Africa editor-in-chief Simon Ateba she would cut short the briefing if he kept talking over Al-Arabiya Washington bureau chief Nadia Bilbassy-Charters with his questions about Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço’s visit.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden lit the National Christmas Tree at the White House ellipse Thursday night. This year’s tree is a 40-foot Norway spruce from West Virginia, which toppled over ahead of the lighting ceremony on Tuesday. A crane lifted the tree back up and the century-old tradition continued. Earlier this week, the first lady also shared the new Christmas decorations at the White House, which also included an ice skating rink on the south lawn that will be open throughout December.