On the evening of October 29, 2026, the White House South Lawn hosted its traditional Halloween celebration featuring US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The couple greeted children and their parents, took photos with young guests, and handed out holiday treats. According to organizers, approximately 6,000 people attended the event, which featured special holiday-themed chocolate bars. Details of the event, including clips from the First Lady's official Instagram page, were reported by the Ukrainian publication Styler (RBC-Ukraine).
Decor and Atmosphere
The area near the entrance to the residence was decorated with pumpkins, ivy, and a large crimson moon with backlighting, against which bat silhouettes were placed to create a flying effect. The atmosphere was complemented by spooky music performed by a US Air Force string orchestra. Young guests arrived in a wide variety of costumes, ranging from Barbie and Batman to historical figures, including several Founding Fathers of the United States.
Children in Soviet and Russian Symbols
Two children in unusual costumes drew particular attention in the footage from the celebration. The boy was dressed in a military uniform featuring a Soviet-style service cap, with a tank troop patch visible on his sleeve. Standing next to him was a girl in white outerwear and a dark sarafan with a floral pattern, her look completed by a ribboned headpiece resembling a kokoshnik. The footage shows the children approaching the presidential couple, with Melania Trump even touching the boy’s cap. It remains unknown at the time of publication who brought the children to the event or why these particular costumes were chosen.
Other Attendees
The celebration was attended not only by families with children but also by members of the American administration. Among the guests were US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Service members, law enforcement officers, foster families, and adoptive families were also present. Donald Trump interacted with parents, posed for photos with young guests, and handed out treats.
History of White House Halloween Traditions
The tradition of hosting Halloween at the White House has existed for decades. According to the White House Historical Association, the holiday tradition was started by First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, who decorated the residence as early as 1958 using skeletons, pumpkins, and corn stalks. Later, the Kennedy family began inviting children to the White House for Halloween to receive treats, and under the presidency of Richard Nixon, the events became more elaborate.
