Here we go again.

President Donald Trump and the first family attended the National Tree Lighting ceremony in Washington on Thursday before a crowd of…well…let’s see:

The National Tree Lighting ceremony was beautiful this evening – but hard not to notice the empty seats. #Christmas #DMV #USA pic.twitter.com/oKMrnnBekG — Steve Rudin ABC7 (@SteveRudinABC7) November 30, 2017

The parallels to the Inauguration were obvious. And Twitter, which seldom disappoints, was all over it. Here’s a sampling of the social media reaction:

This is the largest crowd that has ever attended a National Tree Lighting in history. Period! https://t.co/vfo1UjcgGP — Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) December 1, 2017

It’s a warm and pleasant night in DC https://t.co/KA2WdWiztB — David Frum (@davidfrum) December 1, 2017

So much for putting the Merry in Christmas, eh @realDonaldTrump? At least you’re being consistent. Your Inauguration numbers compared to President Obama’s were also anemic. Sad! https://t.co/pkGM86Sqxz — April (@ReignOfApril) November 30, 2017

The National Tree Lighting ceremony in D.C. tonight. Reminds me of some other events Trump has hosted. (Thread) pic.twitter.com/n2yIBGeASc — Holly O’Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) November 30, 2017

It’s the Trump Inauguration of Christmas tree lightings. Went to a fun lighting ceremony at 8th & O NW last weekend. https://t.co/tXbywrIjMw — Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) December 1, 2017

A lot of empty seats at WH tree lighting ceremony ? https://t.co/epT2gwxBoD — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 30, 2017

The crowd for the National Christmas Tree lighting by Trump looks about the same size as for his inauguration. pic.twitter.com/HYBkKD9piX — Terry J. Richard (@trichardpdx) December 1, 2017

Biff will be really, really upset if we retweet this photo of empty seats at his first tree lighting ceremony. So don’t retweet and tag @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/OCHJCkogQC — Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) November 30, 2017

I’m starting to think people really don’t like @realDonaldTrump

1. Xmas tree lighting. No one showed up.

2. Inaugural parade, bleachers completely empty.

3. Swearing in, mall 2/3 empty. https://t.co/cVaFC4wRz0 pic.twitter.com/THWwVSUBIR — John Aravosis (@aravosis) December 1, 2017

Based on all the empty seats at the National Tree Lighting, it seems Trump tried to make good on his promise to bring Christmas back to Washington and Christmas said “no thanks”. — andy lassner (@andylassner) December 1, 2017

Hard not to see this–and whatever lie Trump tells about the size of the crowd–as an emblem of America now. https://t.co/k1xvPnzTqo — tad friend (@tadfriend) December 1, 2017

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