On the night before Halloween, President Trump at the White House duplicated a 2019 gesture, placing candy on a boy’s head during a children’s trick‑or‑treat event.
Event Overview
On the evening before Halloween, President Trump and First Lady Melania hosted a trick‑or‑treat session for children on the White House lawn. Parents and children of military personnel, law‑enforcement officers, and families of adopted children gathered while a military band played Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The couple handed out Hershey bars and Twizzlers stamped with the White House seal, and praised the children’s costumes during the ceremony.
The 2019 Gesture Revisited
During the 2023 event, a boy wearing a cone on his head asked for candy. Trump did not hand the sweets directly but instead stuck the chocolate bar and Twizzlers onto the child’s head. A video of the moment was shared on X by Polish Radio correspondent Marek Walukusi, who noted that the action echoed Trump’s 2019 stunt that sparked a social‑media frenzy.
Costumes on Display
Among the children, a pair dressed as the Trumps made an appearance; the boy wore a red baseball cap with the “USA” logo exactly like the president’s cap that evening, while the girl wore an elegant long coat reminiscent of Melania. Other kids were seen as a Minion, the Statue of Liberty, and even a McDonald’s drive‑through. Trump congratulated the boy in costume with a handshake.
Historical Tradition
The White House has long hosted Halloween trick‑or‑treat parties. Since 1958, presidential families have invited children to dress up and present sweets. The tradition began with First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, who decorated the White House for the first time in 1958 and served a dinner for the spouses of Washington employees in the State Dining Room.
Media Coverage
Video footage of the incident has appeared on multiple outlets, including Time Magazine, X, and the White House’s own channels.