Trump Celebrates Halloween at White House with Superheroes and Lookalikes Amid Shutdown

President Donald Trump celebrated Halloween with a festive gathering at the White House, welcoming hundreds of costumed guests. The event included superheroes, dinosaurs, and children mimicking the first couple. The celebration kicked off with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump entering the South Lawn to an orchestral rendition of Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller.”

Details of the Halloween Celebration at the White House

Although neither Trump nor Melania wore costumes, they engaged warmly with attendees. Trump sported a blue suit and a red tie, complemented by a “USA” cap. Melania wore a brown coat over an orange dress. The couple distributed full-sized Hershey bars and Twizzlers packaged with the presidential seal to a long line of children and their parents.

Decorations and Atmosphere

Despite ongoing renovations to a new White House ballroom, the exterior was adorned with autumn decorations. The grounds featured:

• Large fall leaves
• Colorful mums in shades of orange and red
• Carved pumpkins lining the stairs

The construction work concealed parts of the event from view, although a bulldozer was observable in the background.

Context of the Celebration

The Halloween event took place on the 30th day of a government shutdown. Trump had just returned from a six-day trip across Asia, including visits to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. While he urged Congress to reopen the government, Democrats demanded an extension of tax credits crucial for many Americans’ health insurance. Meanwhile, Republicans indicated they would not negotiate until the government resumed operations.

Impact of Tariffs

Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods have affected importers, retailers, and shoppers, leading to reduced inventory and increased costume prices this Halloween season.

Attendees and Costumes

The White House Halloween party featured children of military members and White House staffers. Notable guests included:

• Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, attended with her son dressed as a pumpkin.
• Katie Miller, a former aide, appeared in a skeleton costume, accompanied by her husband, Stephen Miller, in business attire.

Hundreds of children, ranging from toddlers to pre-teens, showcased various costumes. Themes included:

• Superheroes like Spider-Man and Captain America
• Ballerinas and princesses
• Traditional leprechauns

Some children echoed the president’s style with “USA” caps, while one child dressed humorously in an inflatable toilet costume, eliciting a response from Trump.