According to CNN, the Trump Administration is seeking corporate sponsors for the traditional Easter Egg Roll on the presidential lawn, the race in which children push colorful eggs across the grass.
Trump wants to apply his business logic to the White House grounds as well, turning the historic public event into a sponsored marketing opportunity. Just a few days ago, he also promoted Tesla cars from the White House driveway, in that case as a gesture of (presumably free) support for his ally and financial backer, the leader of the newly created DOGE and owner of the massive electric car company, Elon Musk.
According to the document reviewed by CNN, the sponsorship package for the Easter event, ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, offers visibility through billboards, branded Easter baskets, and official mentions of the company name in press releases and on social media.
“In my time, this would have been rejected in 30 seconds,” said Richard Painter, former ethical advisor to George W. Bush. The White House “is not a football stadium to cover with logos just to bring in some money.”
And where will the money go? The document—created by the promotional company Harbinger (which suggestively means “messenger” but also “omen”)—promises that all proceeds will go to the White House Historical Association. This nonprofit, founded in 1961 by Jackie Kennedy, is dedicated to preserving and ensuring public access to the history of the White House.
