Melania Trump ensures White House holiday spirit stays strong despite East Wing demolition
WASHINGTON, DC: Despite the demolition of the White House East Wing, the Office of the First Lady, Melania Trump, is working to preserve the spirit of the season.
The White House will continue its traditional holiday celebrations — including the upcoming Halloween party, the Thanksgiving turkey pardon, and the Christmas tree arrival — even though the East Wing, where the First Lady’s office was located, has been demolished. “Traditions will continue,” a White House spokesperson told HELLO!
Shutdown does not affect Melania Trump’s Halloween event at the White House
The White House’s annual Halloween celebration is scheduled for October 30. According to HELLO!, the event “is not directly impacted by the shutdown.”
Melania Trump announced the event a week before Halloween, confirming that she and President Donald Trump would open the South Lawn to trick-or-treaters on the eve of the holiday.
A spokesperson for the First Lady’s office told HELLO!: “The First Lady and her staff look forward to the holiday season and continuing the many wonderful traditions of the White House — starting with Halloween at the White House.” The spokesperson also thanked partners who made the event possible for children and families
Melania Trump’s Halloween celebration welcomes diverse families and guests
The traditional, ticketed event hosted a mix of military, police, foster, and adoptive families, along with administration officials and their children.
The United States Air Force Strolling Strings performed Halloween classics, while children received toy mail trucks from the US Postal Service, wrote postcards at the BE BEST station, and took pictures at a giant pumpkin photo booth.
Organizations join Melania Trump to create a festive Halloween experience
The US Department of Agriculture gave away mini pumpkins from American farmers, while the International Fresh Produce Association provided apples from Washington and New York. The National Confectioners Association supplied candies.
Other contributors included America 250, NASA, the National Park Service, the US Mint, the US Secret Service, the White House Historical Association, and the Center of Science and Industry.
The White House’s Halloween tradition dates back to First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, who decorated the residence for Halloween in 1958. According to the White House Historical Association, trick-or-treating began with President John F. Kennedy’s children and gained wider prominence during the Richard Nixon administration.
The Trumps continued the tradition during the 2017–2020 period of Donald Trump’s first term.
Melania Trump begins early preparations for 2025 National Christmas Tree Lighting
Even as Halloween plans take shape, Melania Trump's team has been preparing for Christmas for months. In August, her staff confirmed that Christmas planning was already underway. This was reaffirmed in a recent video featuring the former First Lady holding a gold ornament with the caption: “Christmas meeting in the @WhiteHouse."
The 2025 National Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on December 4 at the White House, hosted by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation. The ticket lottery will be open from October 29 at 10 a.m. ET to November 5 at 10 a.m. ET.
The continuation of these festivities highlights the First Lady’s commitment to preserving White House traditions, regardless of logistical or governmental challenges.
