Candy and Costumes Amid the Chaos: Trump and Melania Host Heartwarming White House Halloween Bash on Eve of Shutdown Pay Fears - October 30, 2025

In a rare moment of levity amid the grinding 30-day government shutdown, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump transformed the White House South Lawn into a glowing Halloween haven on October 30, 2025, welcoming waves of costumed trick-or-treaters from military families, law enforcement households, foster and adoptive parents, and White House staff. Fresh from his triumphant Asia tour, the president—sporting a simple red "USA" cap over his signature suit—dove into the festivities with gusto, high-fiving a pint-sized "Mini Trump" doppelganger, playfully balancing a full-size Hershey bar atop a child's DJ Marshmello helmet in a nod to his 2019 Minion mishap, and signing a TIME magazine cover for an awestruck young fan. Melania, elegant in a beige coat, stole hearts by kneeling to comfort a tearful toddler overwhelmed by the spooky ambiance, her gentle embrace a poignant reminder of her quiet grace under pressure. As the U.S. Air Force String Quartet serenaded the crowd with eerie tunes from Halloween, Jaws, and Harry Potter, families snapped photos at a colossal pumpkin display courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture—complete with mini pumpkins from American farmers—while munching Washington and New York apples from the International Fresh Produce Association and treats from the National Confectioners Association. Amid fall-themed decorations that sparked online debates over their subdued "not very Christian" vibe, the event offered a brief escape from shutdown woes: unpaid federal workers, looming SNAP benefit lapses on November 1, and uncertainty over military paychecks due Friday. Yet, as ballerinas, superheroes, dinosaurs, and a Bucc-ee's Beaver mascot paraded past, Trump's quips about repurposing the under-construction ballroom for "even bigger parties" drew laughs, underscoring a resilient holiday spirit that rallied attendees to "Make Halloween Great Again." With over a thousand participants braving the crisp evening air, the gathering not only honored a decades-old White House tradition—dating back to Mamie Eisenhower in 1958—but also highlighted the Trumps' personal touch in fostering joy for America's everyday heroes during turbulent times.
GuestsDonald J. Trump, President of the United States
Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff