Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump and his wife Melania hosted thousands of citizens who flooded the White House for Easter celebrations today.
Opening his first White House ‘Easter Egg Roll’, President Donald Trump welcomed thousands of kids, and some adults, reveled in the time-honoured tradition of rolling hard-boiled eggs across the manicured lawn in his backyard.
“This is the 139th Easter Egg Roll. Think of it, 139,” Trump said, welcoming families to the annual event.
“And we will be stronger and bigger and better as a nation than ever before. We’re right on track,” he said, speaking of the nation’s strength under fewer than 100 days of his leadership.
Trump’s wife Melania, their 11-year-old son Barron, and the Easter Bunny flanked Trump on a balcony overlooking the expansive lawn before they went downstairs to join some of the 21,000 people who were expected to attend one of the biggest social event every year at the White House.
Before joining the festivities with his family, Trump thanked his wife for “working on this for a long time to make it perfect.”
Rabbit replacement
This picture of press secretary Sean Spicer and the Easter Bunny also put some speculation to bed:
There were rumours that Spicer would be the fluffy festive rabbit, as was his role under the Bush administration.
Alas it wasn’t to be (there’s always next year).
Earlier, there was some speculation about whether the Trumps would be able to pull off a successful “egg-stravaganza.” Planning seemed to get off to a late start, with the Trumps taking longer than in previous years to announce Monday’s date.
Both Trump and the first lady have been slow to fill White House jobs, and at least one regular egg roll vendor took to Twitter, the president’s favourite social medium, to remind the White House that a deadline for ordering the wooden eggs that are given out as souvenirs was approaching.
But the egg rolling event, which dates back to 1878, wouldn’t be made to disappear.
What events were on?
But it was just made smaller, down from the 35,000 people who got tickets last year, but keeping the main events including the reading nook, an area to send messages to US troops, and an entertainment stage.
“As we renew this tradition, thank you for joining us,” the first lady said.
Moments later, Trump blew a whistle three times, each time sending groups of youngsters scurrying to deftly use a wooden spoon to maneuver their dyed egg several yards across the finish line. He, the first lady and Barron also joined kids at a table to colour cards to send to US service members.
Trump’s older sons, Don Jr and Eric, and their wives, and daughter Tiffany also attended.
Seven-year-old Johnny Wilmer of Arlington, Virginia, said his egg-rolling effort ended with a second-place finish. It was his first Easter egg roll, and he said while he and his father, Jack, waited for Trump to appear that the experience had been “great.”
Over at the reading area, Melania read “Party Animals,” a story about celebrating differences written by television personality Kathie Lee Gifford.
Costumed characters roaming the grounds included Elmo from “Sesame Street,” Dr Seuss’ Cat in the Hat, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and some of the Racing Presidents, who are mascots for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
We need to make Ireland golf again.
@Rosa Parks: Bigly
Even tho’ it sounds silly, “Bigly” is actually a word.
Wing Commander Sir Nigel Winterbottom-Bigly doesn’t count!
We need vast swatches of golf courses to make Ireland bigly
Noonan is in training to kneel down at Shannon airport if Trump returns. The culimination of Noonan’s career.
Befriending the future President of the United States, as Minister for Finance for Ireland… Sure beats my career!
@Diarmuid: sycophancy is demeaning not only of the flatterer but also of the country.
The more limited Trump’s future connections with Ireland the better.
Trump is an unfortunate aberration but a fascinating test in how far principles free politicians will go to ingratiate themselves.
Trump now says that 3 million illegally voted against him. The man is unhinged by his own ego,
Wouldn’t voter fraud on such a scale basically invalidate the entire election regardless of what side it’s on ?
I heard he sleeps in an oxygen tent which give him sexual powers
@Stephen Hynes: Didn’t work for you, Steve
That’s only a half truth!
Mcmmmmm…. Gummi Venus De Milo
Well, we put a lot of problems in his way – wildlife issues, planning permissions and pig headedness.
DT was developing an obscure EU site, giving employment and investment – but, it wasn’t good enough for Ireland.
he didn’t develop doonbeg. he bought it nearly 15 years after it opened
In fairness he must ve soing some further development, or he wouldn’t't have been applying for planning permission recently.
Is Trump still a member, a small member with a small member?
Puerile humour?
Great,let’s drag it down into the gutter.
Well done Tony.
@Alex Falcone: Your infatuation with Trump is very scary.
@Dain Bramage:
My infatuation?
Haha.
Look around you dude. Read the papers. Listen to the radio. Turn on your TV. Check out social media.
@Alex Falcone: I don’t read the newspapers, watch the TV or listen to the radio, they are part of the mainstream media liberal Cultural Marxist Big Pharma Military Industrial Complex agenda. I get my information from Alt-Right blogs and The White House press office.
@Alex Falcone: it’s just flippant derision for the Trumpeteer.
@Dain Bramage:
Good for you. You’re smarter than I thought.
So Donald just f***** over the people of Doonbeg, I wonder what his Irish cheerleaders think of that.
@OpenBorders: He didnt say he was selling up. Ivanka, Don Jr and Eric still listed as directors.
So he should care more about the people of Doonbeg than the promises he made during the election? Don’t think so.
Wow, maybe Noonan can take over and fill his boots again!
God just for a second I thought he resigned as president.
No chance Gerry, the man is a megalomaniac.
As his father before him.
Don’t we wish
Donald, doing things by the rule book.
**Responsible**
Is Trump hair brained, hare brained or just brainless?
He’s being controlled by his hair :p
Jesus I wonder what’ll he do with himself now
How low will Irish politicians stoop to ingratiate themselves with Trump the Terrible?
This means absolutely nothing. He still owns Doonbeg. It’s a clear contravention of the emoluments clause.
SO WHAT
If he had a son named The Burren, Clare County Council could have cut a good deal on rocks for those walls.
I hope someone sprays the course with vinegar.Anyone supporting Doonbeg supports Trump.
I drempt last night that he completed his eight years and was elected Taoiseach in Ireland
Now Enda
have your say