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Trump Hosts Halloween Event at White House
Confirmed
In Short: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed 6,000 trick-or-treaters to the South Lawn for the annual Halloween event.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed 6,000 trick-or-treaters to the South Lawn for the annual Halloween event on Thursday, handing out commemorative full-sized chocolate bars to the young visitors.
The event included military, law enforcement, foster, and adoptive families, with administration staff bringing their own families as well.
Trump and Melania also engaged in some light-hearted fun, with the president doing a little shimmy to the theme song from 'Ghostbusters,' while the Air Force Strolling Strings played traditional Halloween music and modern tunes.
The event featured spooky decorations, including a 'harvest Moon' at the White House's South Portico, and postal service toy mail trucks and a 'BE BEST' postcard station for the children.
While greeting the children, Trump moved to give a piece of candy to a trick-or-treater dressed in all white with a large light-up mask, and another child dressed in a 'Make America Great Again' red hat and a white long-sleeve shirt with the number 47 on it.
The event was held just in time for Halloween, which landed on a Saturday, an occurrence that won't happen again until 2037.
Construction on the state ballroom was happening simultaneously, with the Supreme Court temporarily halting a lower court injunction to allow the administration to continue the construction.
The event also included military, law enforcement, foster, and adoptive families, with administration staff bringing their own families as well.
Trump's comments about the event came mere days after he said he would 'love' to remain in office but denied that he was interested in serving as vice president.
The event was a continuation of a viral moment from his first presidency, when in 2019, the Trumps placed candy bars on top of a kid's inflatable Minion costume only for it to fall to the ground as the trick-or-treater walked away.
What this adds
The event's timing on a Saturday is unusual, and it won't happen again until 2037.
The construction on the state ballroom was happening simultaneously with the Halloween event.
The event's ancient roots trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where dressing up in costumes is the oldest tradition.
Background
President Trump is considering relocating the White House press corps from its current briefing room, citing the need for additional space within the White House.
The Supreme Court has temporarily halted a lower court injunction to allow President Trump's administration to continue construction on the White House ballroom, according to new reports.
What's confirmed
- 30, the 79-year-old president and first lady Melania Trump passed out candy to a group of young trick-or-treaters outside of the White House.
What's still developing
- At one point, Trump did a little shimmy to the theme song from “Ghostbusters.” Administration staff brought their families, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
- With Halloween on a Saturday, trick-or-treaters are sure to be out in full force this year, and we want to help keep you and your little ones safe.
- Sex offenders and predators who are registered with the state have specific rules about what they can and can’t do around Halloween, depending on what county they live in.
- “I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad," he told reporters assembled aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
- Another wrote, "They don't know how to human."
- "They find the customs of our planet strange."
- "That child didn't get any candy because the Trumps were making fun of them," one person commented on a video at the time.
- One older kid took a photo with Trump and Melania dressed in a “Make America Great Again” red hat, a white long-sleeve shirt with the number 47 — for the 47th president — on it and red flannel pajama pants with the phrase “MAGA for life.” Other kids dressed as soldiers, police officers, Secret Service members, Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter.
- The Trumps also greeted War Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, who were accompanying their families for the Halloween-themed event.
- In fact, dressing up in costume is likely the very first (and oldest) Halloween tradition.
- So if you've ever wondered why trick-or-treaters march around neighborhoods in furry cat ears and DIY witch costumes asking for candy, the holiday's ancient roots can explain why.
- Halloween, along with the tradition of wearing costumes, traces its origins all the way back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
Sources
- New York Daily Newslink
- New York Postlink
- News4JAXlink
- Peoplelink
- The Independentlink
- WZTVlink
- Washingtonexaminerlink
- Bhglink
- NASAlink
- Clickondetroitlink
- WarpBeat — background on Trump Considers Relocating White House Press Room link
- WarpBeat — background on Supreme Court Temporarily Clears Trump's White House Ballroom Construction link
- Right Side Broadcasting Network — video link