Latest news with #ReadingNook
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump hosts corporate-sponsored Easter Egg Roll: ‘We're bringing religion back'
President Trump pledged Monday that 'religion is coming back to America' as he kicked off his first White House Easter Egg Roll since returning to office, a corporate-sponsored event that fell hours after the passing of Pope Francis. 'We're bringing religion back in America. We're bringing a lot of things back, but religion is coming back to America. That's why you see the kind of numbers that you see, the spirit and the kind of numbers that you see,' Trump said from the Blue Room balcony as guests gathered on the South Lawn for the annual event. The president, standing next to first lady Melania Trump and the Easter Bunny, estimated that 40,000 people would take part in the festivities throughout the day. He also announced an executive order lowering flags to half-staff to honor the late pope, who died the day after Easter at 88 following a series of health complications. 'I just signed an executive order putting the flags of our country, all of them, all federal flags and state flags, at half mast in honor of Pope Francis. So, he was a good man. Worked hard. He loved the world, and it's an honor to do that,' Trump said. He later told reporters that he doesn't yet know whether he'll attend the pope's funeral. Trump also touted military recruitment as he praised the U.S. Marine Corps band, which heralded his entrance. Trump blew a whistle to kick-start the traditional egg roll, with children racing colorfully dyed eggs down the lawn with wooden spoons. Later, the first lady participated in a hopscotch activity and read the book 'Bunny with a Big Heart' to guests. Tech giants YouTube, Meta and Amazon were among the corporate sponsors of the event, which has been held since the Rutherford B. Hayes administration in 1878 and has been funded without taxpayer dollars through the American Egg Board. Through an outside production company called Harbinger, the White House reportedly sought sponsorships ranging from $75,000 to $200,000. Amazon was behind a Reading Nook, YouTube was behind the 'Bunny Hop Stage' and Meta sponsored an 'AI-powered' photo-op, according to the first lady's office. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, senior White House aide Stephen Miller and FBI Director Kash Patel were spotted among the attendees. More than 30,000 eggs were reportedly used during the event, against the backdrop of outcry over the cost of eggs. Trump last week had claimed that egg prices are 'getting too low.' The event was also pitched as 'part of the lead up' to the U.S.'s 250th anniversary, which falls in July of next year. According to the first lady's office, activities included signing a mini Declaration of Independence and dressing up as Founding Fathers. The president on Monday also shrugged off questions from reporters about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid new reporting that the Pentagon leader shared sensitive information about planned strikes in Yemen in a private Signal chap that included some of his family members. 'He is doing a great job. … Ask the Houthis how he's doing,' Trump said as he stopped by the South Lawn. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Daily Star
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Karoline Leavitt makes rare appearance with husband and son at White House easter egg hunt
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was spotted at the 2025 Easter Egg Roll on Monday, accompanied by her husband Nicholas Riccio and their nine-month-old son Nico. The 27-year-old Leavitt has been seldom to be seen in public with her 59-year-old spouse, but made an exception for this family-oriented event. Her husband looked remarkably youthful in a tan suit and purple tie, pushing their baby boy, dressed in soft blue, around the South Lawn in a stroller. The couple welcomed their first child last July . The day, hosted by President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, was filled with festivity and offered a variety of activities for families such as an egg hunt and cookie decorating. Read More Related Articles Deranged Donald Trump posts mad 184-word Easter message taking aim at all his enemies Read More Related Articles Trump has awkward senile moment with young girl who holds out hand for high five Leavitt herself donned a beautiful designer dress in pastel baby-blue for the grand occasion. Karoline Leavitt pushes baby stroller at the White House She addressed the media outside the White House in her attire as the annual tradition commenced on the South Lawn. Embracing the spring theme, she unveiled her Easter ensemble, which seemed to be an elegant, square-neck lace dress from designer Self Portrait. Leavitt's appearance coincided with President Trump and his wife welcoming thousands of guests to the yearly Easter celebration. However, this year saw a change as Trump swapped plastic Easter eggs for real ones, generously donated by American egg farmers. This year's event was backed by several corporations, including YouTube, Amazon and Meta, according to NPR. The funds raised will be donated to the nonprofit White House Historical Association. However, egg hunting isn't the only thrilling activity planned for the South Lawn event. As per The White House's website, other attractions include a Be Best Military Card Writing Station, cookie decorating station, Reading Nook, courtesy of Amazon and Be Best Hopscotch. Children attending the event will also have the opportunity to engage in the America250 initiative, a precursor to the nationwide celebration of America's 250th founding anniversary. The America250 initiative will enable kids to sign a mini Declaration of Independence and even dress up as the Founding Fathers. Leavitt is named as a featured reader at the Reading Nook during the event, alongside U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and First Lady Melania, among others.
The Hill
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Trump hosts corporate-sponsored Easter Egg roll: ‘We're bringing religion back'
President Trump pledged that 'religion is coming back to America' on Monday as he kicked off his first White House Easter Egg Roll since returning to office, a corporate-sponsored event that fell hours after the passing of Pope Francis. 'We're bringing religion back in America. We're bringing a lot of things back, but religion is coming back to America. That's why you see the kind of numbers that you see, the spirit and the kind of numbers that you see,' Trump said from the Blue Room balcony as guests gathered on the South Lawn for the annual event. The president, standing next to first lady Melania Trump and the Easter Bunny, estimated that 40,000 people would take part in the festivities throughout the day. He also announced an executive order putting flags at half mast to honor the late pope, who passed away the day after Easter at 88 following a series of health complications. 'I just signed an executive order putting the flags of our country, all of them, all federal flags and state flags, at half mast in honor of Pope Francis. So, he was a good man. Worked hard. He loved the world, and it's an honor to do that,' Trump said. He later told reporters that he doesn't yet know whether he'll attend the Pope's funeral. Trump also touted military recruitment as he praised the US Marine Corps band, which heralded his entrance. Trump blew a whistle to kickstart the traditional egg roll, children racing colorfully dyed eggs down the lawn with wooden spoons. Later, the first lady participated in a hopscotch activity and read the book 'Bunny with a Big Heart' to guests. Tech giants YouTube, Meta and Amazon were among the corporate sponsors of the event, which has been held since the Rutherford B. Hayes administration in 1878 and has been funded without taxpayer dollars through the American Egg Board. Through an outside production company called Harbinger, the White House reportedly sought sponsorships ranging from $75,000 to $200,000. Amazon was behind a Reading Nook, YouTube was behind the 'Bunny Hop Stage' and Meta sponsored an 'AI-powered' photo opportunity, according to the first lady's office. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, senior White House aide Stephen Miller and FBI Director Kash Patel were spotted among the attendees. More than 30,000 eggs were reportedly used during the event, against the backdrop of outcry over the cost of eggs. Trump last week had claimed that egg prices are 'getting too low.' The event was also pitched as 'part of the lead up' to the U.S.'s 250th anniversary, which falls in July of next year. According to the first lady's office, activities included signing a mini Declaration of Independence and dressing up as Founding Fathers. The president on Monday also shrugged off questions from reporters about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid new reporting that the Pentagon leader shared sensitive information about planned strikes in Yemen in a private Signal chap that included some of his family members. 'He is doing a great job… Ask the Houthis how he's doing,' Trump said as he stopped by the South Lawn.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Companies vying for Trump's attention are sponsoring the Easter Egg Roll
The White House's annual Easter Egg Roll will have major corporations sponsoring activities this year, which ethics experts say would not have passed muster under previous administrations. The White House on Friday announced details for the annual event, which has taken place in some form for more than 100 years. Among the companies sponsoring stations are Amazon, Meta and YouTube — all tech companies whose leaders have sought a closer relationship with President Donald Trump in his second term. 'In addition to the classic Egg Roll and Egg Hunt — both featuring real, small- and medium-sized eggs donated by American egg farmers — guests will enjoy a wide array of entertaining activities thanks to the White House Historical Association and its partnerships,' the first lady's office said in a statement. It comes as tech giants have looked to make inroads with the Trump administration, with industry titans attending the president's inauguration. Trump and his administration have also sought to boost companies that publicly align with him, including when the president showcased Tesla cars — and bought one — alongside his billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who also serves as CEO of the EV company. Ethics experts said the arrangement for Monday's egg roll was highly unusual, and a break from tradition about not corporatizing the White House and its grounds. 'From the president and his family on down, the White House, and indeed the federal government, there are too many conflicts and other complex entanglements with the companies reportedly solicited,' said Norm Eisen, a longtime Trump critic who served as President Barack Obama's special counsel for ethics and government reform and currently chairs the State Democracy Defenders Fund. 'That opens up at least the appearance of influence peddling.' The White House and the White House Historical Association — a private nonprofit that has worked with administrations of both parties for decades — did not respond to requests for comment. 'No way,' said Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush and another regular detractor of Trump, on whether this would have happened under any other presidency. 'You can't have corporate logos associated with the White House.' A spokesperson for Google, YouTube's parent company, emphasized in a statement that the video platform has partnered with the White House in years past and it does so 'in line with the administration's process.' 'YouTube's participation in the White House Easter Egg Roll has become an annual tradition,' the company said, adding that 'our goal is to provide an opportunity for kids to meet their favorite creators, and we look forward to having a presence once again this year.' It isn't clear how, exactly, the sponsorships will be displayed. But Amazon is backing activities across the South Lawn on Monday, sponsoring the 'Reading Nook' and 'Family Photo Opportunity.' Meta will sponsor the 'AI-Powered Experience and Photo Opportunity.' And YouTube will host the 'Bunny Hop Stage.' 'During my years as ethics czar in the White House, when my duties included overseeing these kinds of compliance issues … I never would have allowed this,' Eisen said. He added that White House senior staff involved in the planning 'are subject to the ethics laws implicated, such as those prohibiting the appearance or the reality of a conflict.' GALA, a blockchain company sponsoring a 'Digital White House Egg Hunt Game,' has already been promoting its involvement in the event. It is highlighting the game on its website next to a picture of the Easter Egg Roll's logo, saying the game is 'bringing an added layer of fun to one of the most iconic events of the season.' The company said in its announcement that it is "honored to partner" with the event. Industry trade groups — including egg farmers and candy makers — are also listed as event partners, and some have supported the event for decades. 'America's egg farmers are immensely proud to be part of this treasured tradition every year. As a legacy partner of the White House Easter Egg Roll, we are honored that real eggs are a key element in this iconic national celebration,' Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, said in an announcement on the organization's website. Meta declined to comment and Amazon did not respond to a request for comment. It isn't the first time corporate backing has made its way to White House events. In 2016, Obama hosted a 'South by South Lawn' event at the White House, which his administration said 'was made possible thanks to support' from companies including Hyatt, Starbucks and Target. But some of the tech companies sponsoring stations this year are facing intense scrutiny. Meta is in the midst of a major antitrust trial — and some in Washington fear Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's relationship with Trump could affect the case. A federal judge also recently ruled in a case originally brought by the Biden administration and 17 state attorneys general that parts of Google's ad business was an illegal monopoly, a decision the company pledged to appeal. CNN previously reported that the White House had hired event production company Harbinger to solicit outside sponsors for this year's Egg Roll, with sponsorship offers ranging from $75,000 to $200,000. (POLITICO has not independently confirmed the sponsorship prices.) The money raised from the sponsors, CNN reported, will go toward the White House Historical Association. Painter said he was approached several times under the Bush administration about auctioning off White House tours or lunch at the White House, but had to bring down the hammer. 'You can't use the White House for any kind of fundraising,' Painter said. 'Corporate logos should be nowhere to be seen [at the White House].'
Politico
19-04-2025
- Business
- Politico
Companies vying for Trump's attention are sponsoring the Easter Egg Roll
The White House's annual Easter Egg Roll will have major corporations sponsoring activities this year, which ethics experts say would not have passed muster under previous administrations. The White House on Friday announced details for the annual event, which has taken place in some form for more than 100 years. Among the companies sponsoring stations are Amazon, Meta and YouTube — all tech companies whose leaders have sought a closer relationship with President Donald Trump in his second term. 'In addition to the classic Egg Roll and Egg Hunt — both featuring real, small- and medium-sized eggs donated by American egg farmers — guests will enjoy a wide array of entertaining activities thanks to the White House Historical Association and its partnerships,' the first lady's office said in a statement. It comes as tech giants have looked to make inroads with the Trump administration. Industry titans attended the president's inauguration. Trump and his administration have also sought to boost companies that publicly align with him, including when the president showcased Tesla cars — and bought one — alongside his billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who also serves as CEO of the EV company. Ethics experts said the arrangement for Monday's egg roll was highly unusual, and a break from tradition about not corporatizing the White House and its grounds. 'From the president and his family on down, the White House, and indeed the federal government, there are too many conflicts and other complex entanglements with the companies reportedly solicited,' said Norm Eisen, a longtime Trump critic who served as President Barack Obama's special counsel for ethics and government reform and currently chairs the State Democracy Defenders Fund. 'That opens up at least the appearance of influence peddling.' The White House and the White House Historical Association — a private nonprofit that has worked with administrations of both parties for decades — did not respond to requests for comment. 'No way,' said Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush and another regular detractor of Trump, on whether this would have happened under any other presidency. 'You can't have corporate logos associated with the White House.' A spokesperson for Google, YouTube's parent company, emphasized in a statement that the video platform has partnered with the White House in years past and it does so 'in line with the administration's process.' 'YouTube's participation in the White House Easter Egg Roll has become an annual tradition,' the company said, adding that 'our goal is to provide an opportunity for kids to meet their favorite creators, and we look forward to having a presence once again this year.' It isn't clear how, exactly, the sponsorships will be displayed. But Amazon is backing activities across the South Lawn on Monday, sponsoring the 'Reading Nook' and 'Family Photo Opportunity.' Meta will sponsor the 'AI-Powered Experience and Photo Opportunity.' And YouTube will host the 'Bunny Hop Stage.' 'During my years as ethics czar in the White House, when my duties included overseeing these kinds of compliance issues … I never would have allowed this,' Eisen said. He added that White House senior staff involved in the planning 'are subject to the ethics laws implicated, such as those prohibiting the appearance or the reality of a conflict.' GALA, a blockchain company sponsoring a 'Digital White House Egg Hunt Game,' has already been promoting its involvement in the event . It is highlighting the game on its website next to a picture of the Easter Egg Roll's logo, saying the game is 'bringing an added layer of fun to one of the most iconic events of the season.' The company said in its announcement that it is 'honored to partner' with the event. Industry trade groups — including egg farmers and candy makers — are also listed as event partners, and some have supported the event for decades. 'America's egg farmers are immensely proud to be part of this treasured tradition every year. As a legacy partner of the White House Easter Egg Roll, we are honored that real eggs are a key element in this iconic national celebration,' Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, said in an announcement on the organization's website . Meta declined to comment and Amazon did not respond to a request for comment. It isn't the first time corporate backing has made its way to White House events. In 2016, Obama hosted a 'South by South Lawn' event at the White House, which his administration said 'was made possible thanks to support' from companies including Hyatt, Starbucks and Target. But some of the tech companies sponsoring stations this year are facing intense scrutiny. Meta is in the midst of a major antitrust trial — and some in Washington fear Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's relationship with Trump could affect the case. A federal judge also recently ruled in a case originally brought by the Biden administration and 17 state attorneys general that parts of Google's ad business was an illegal monopoly , a decision the company pledged to repeal. CNN previously reported that the White House had hired event production company Harbinger to solicit outside sponsors for this year's Egg Roll, with sponsorship offers ranging from $75,000 to $200,000. (POLITICO has not independently confirmed the sponsorship prices.) The money raised from the sponsors, CNN reported, will go toward the White House Historical Association. Painter said he was approached several times under the Bush administration about auctioning off White House tours or lunch at the White House, but had to bring down the hammer. 'You can't use the White House for any kind of fundraising,' Painter said. 'Corporate logos should be nowhere to be seen [at the White House.]'
