President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed hundreds of costumed children to the White House on Thursday, October 30, 2025, for an annual Halloween celebration that proceeded despite mounting concerns over a government shutdown entering its 30th day. The couple distributed full-sized Hershey bars and Twizzlers in boxes bearing the presidential seal as families lined the South Lawn driveway.
The festivities unfolded just hours after Trump returned from a six-day Asia trip spanning Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Neither the president nor the first lady wore costumes for the evening event, with Trump appearing in a blue suit, red tie, and red “USA” cap, while Melania Trump wore a brown coat over an orange dress.
An orchestral version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” played as the couple emerged on the South Lawn at dusk. Temporary walls obscured construction of Trump’s new White House ballroom, which has required demolition of the East Wing, though a parked bulldozer remained visible beyond the barriers. Dozens of decorations resembling large autumn leaves and fall flowers, including orange and red mums, adorned the White House exterior, with carved pumpkins crowding the stairs leading to the balcony.
Trump observed the lengthy queue of families, remarking, “It’s a long line. It’s almost as big as the ballroom.”
The celebration drew children of military members, White House staffers, and law enforcement officials, along with foster and adoptive families. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attended with her young son dressed as a pumpkin. Katie Miller, a former Trump administration aide, wore a skeleton costume, while her husband Stephen, Trump’s deputy White House Chief of Staff, opted for a business suit.
Costumes ranged from superheroes, including Spider-Man and Captain America, to ballerinas, princesses, leprechauns, and dinosaurs. Several young attendees mimicked the first couple themselves, with two boys sporting suits, Trump hats, and grins resembling the president, though they eschewed his signature hairstyle. A girl accompanying them wore a white coat over a dress similar to styles favored by the first lady. Other costume choices included a fairy, a lampshade, and even former President Abraham Lincoln.
While some children appeared shy or skittish about interacting with the Trumps, the president engaged with a child whose costume featured sitting pants-down on an inflatable toilet stenciled with “Wide Load” on the back, though his comments were inaudible. Several parents wore “USA” caps matching the president’s.
The Halloween tradition proceeded as congressional gridlock over the government shutdown continued. Trump has called for the government to reopen, while congressional Democrats demand an extension of expiring tax credits that have helped millions afford health insurance. Republican colleagues maintain they will not negotiate until the government reopens.
The ongoing shutdown affected multiple aspects of federal operations, including concerns about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits scheduled for November 1 distribution. These fears have been proved well-founded as benefits were suspended despite court orders. Social media posters shared their anger about the lavish decorations and candy while children across the country were going hungry.
Multiple states, including California, New York, and Ohio, have deployed emergency measures ranging from $2 million to $80 million to temporarily fill the gap through food banks and emergency relief programs, while 25 states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits challenging the federal government’s refusal to use available contingency funds.
Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports have also reduced inventory and raised prices for Halloween costumes for American importers, retailers, and shoppers, though this did not appear to dampen attendance or enthusiasm at Thursday’s White House celebration.
The event represented a continuation of White House Halloween traditions despite the backdrop of political tensions and Trump’s recent return from international travel. The elaborate decorations and full-sized candy bars demonstrated the administration’s commitment to maintaining the annual celebration for families connected to military service, law enforcement, and government operations.
Tiny toddlers through early teenagers paraded past the first couple throughout the evening, with the line of families stretching down the driveway as darkness fell over the nation’s capital. The celebration offered a brief respite from the political battles surrounding the government shutdown, focusing instead on providing children with a memorable Halloween experience at one of America’s most iconic addresses.