The White House Easter Egg Roll: Tradition Meets Modern Trends
On Monday, the White House South Lawn was filled with laughter and excitement as President Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted the annual Easter Egg Roll, a cherished tradition that dates back to 1878. The event, initially started by President Rutherford B. Hayes, saw thousands of children and their parents participate in rolling colored eggs, marking the first such celebration of Trump’s second term.
The Easter Egg Roll is a long-standing tradition on Pennsylvania Avenue, only interrupted by significant events like wars or food shortages. This year, the White House proudly announced that the eggs used were “donated by American egg farmers,” despite the country facing record-high egg prices due to an avian flu outbreak that led to the culling of millions of egg-laying hens.
This year marked a new chapter for the event with corporate sponsorships being introduced for the first time. Companies such as YouTube, Amazon, and Meta were among the sponsors, contributing funds ranging from $75,000 to $200,000. The money raised is set to benefit the White House Historical Association, a nonprofit organization.
The presence of tech giants has not gone unnoticed, as executives like Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Mark Zuckerberg of Meta have faced scrutiny for their perceived close ties to the Trump administration. This relationship has drawn criticism amidst broader discussions about the influence of tech billionaires on political affairs.
Amid the festivities, guests had the opportunity to visit sponsored tents, including those by Meta and Amazon, where various activities were conducted. Children enjoyed additional attractions such as playing with soap bubbles and assembling flower bouquets, providing a modern twist to the historical event.
Images from the day captured the joyful moments of children participating in various activities, from balancing eggs to posing for photographs. Notably, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was seen taking part in the festivities, underscoring the event’s significance as a national celebration.
For more on the history of the White House Easter Egg Roll, visit the NPR article. To learn about the tradition’s origins, check out the White House’s official page.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
