Trump hosts White Home Halloween bash with superheroes and presidential lookalikes amid shutdown

[ad_1]

By WILL WEISSERT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump hosted tons of of costumed friends — from superheroes to dinosaurs and even just a few kids dressed as the primary couple — as a part of Thursday night time’s Halloween celebration on the White Home.

He and first girl Melania Trump emerged on the South Garden as night was beginning to fall to an orchestral model of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Neither was in costume. Trump wore a blue go well with and crimson tie with a crimson “USA” cap; his spouse was in a brown coat over an orange gown.

The couple handed out full-sized Hershey bars and Twizzlers in containers with the presidential seal to a line of kids and their dad and mom that stretched down the driveway. Non permanent partitions obscured the view of the development of Trump’s new White Home ballroom — which has led to the demolition of the East Wing — although a parked bulldozer may nonetheless be seen hulking on the opposite aspect.

“It’s a protracted line,” Trump mentioned. “It’s nearly as massive because the ballroom.”

The White Home custom went forward regardless of Trump returning mere hours earlier from a six-day Asia journey that took him to Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and amid a authorities shutdown in its thirtieth day.

Trump has referred to as for the federal government to reopen, however congressional Democrats are demanding an extension of expiring tax credit which have helped thousands and thousands of individuals afford medical insurance. Their Republican colleagues say they gained’t negotiate till the federal government is reopened.

Trump’s tariffs on Chinese language imports have decreased stock and raised costs for Halloween costumes for American importers, retailers and consumers. Nonetheless, the White Home exterior featured dozens of decorations resembling massive autumn leaves and fall flowers like orange and crimson mums. The steps resulting in its balcony have been crowded with carved pumpkins.

1 of 19

President Donald Trump and first girl Melania Trump take part in a Halloween on the White Home occasion on the South Garden, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Alex Brandon)

Broaden

Among the many kids attending the Halloween celebration have been these of members of the navy and White Home staffers. Karoline Leavitt, the White Home press secretary, got here along with her younger son dressed as a pumpkin. Katie Miller, a former Trump administration aide, was dressed as a skeleton, whereas her husband, Stephen, Trump’s deputy White Home chief of workers, wore solely a enterprise go well with.

A whole bunch of kids, tiny toddlers as much as youngsters of their early teenagers, got here dressed as Spider-Man and Captain America, ballerinas, princesses and leprechauns. Two boys wore fits, Trump hats and grins just like the president, although they didn’t attempt to pull off his signature hairdo, whereas a woman with them wore a white coat over a gown like one the primary girl may favor.

A number of dad and mom had “USA” caps like Trump.

Some kids have been shy or skittish about speaking with the Trumps, however the president mentioned one thing inaudible to a toddler whose costume consisted of sitting together with his pants down on an inflatable rest room stenciled with “Broad Load” on the again.