Donald Trump’s administration is seeking sponsors for the White House Easter Egg Roll, breaking with tradition. This move has raised further scrutiny over the government’s relationship with corporate backers. A pitch document obtained by CNN and the New York Times reveals that individuals or companies can pay up to $200,000 to have their brand or name attached to the event in exchange for “valuable brand visibility and national recognition.” There are three sponsorship packages available: $200,000, $100,000, and $75,000. Potential sponsors will have the opportunity to engage with the White House Press Corps and their company logos will appear on event signage. Tickets for the egg roll are typically given out for free through a lottery process. However, sponsors will receive general admission tickets and VIP tickets, which include access to a brunch hosted by Melania Trump at the White House. The Easter Egg Roll, a tradition since 1878, has previously been a politics-free event but has faced controversies, including exclusionary practices towards black families until 1954. The news of sponsorships comes after Trump held an event promoting Tesla, a company owned by Elon Musk. Donald Sherman, the chief counsel and executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, stated that he had never seen anything like this before associated with the White House.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/trump-sponsors-easter-egg-roll