President Trump and first lady Melania Trump handed out commemorative Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters at the White House Monday night.
The president and first lady opted not to dress in costume – with POTUS in a navy suit and FLOTUS in a belted coat with an autumn-colored patchwork design – but they seemed delighted by some of their guests’ outfit choices.
Early on, a child in an inflatable dinosaur suit got a point of approval from the president. Trump patted a little boy, dressed as a mini U.S. Marine, on the cheek. A different Marine came through and saluted Melania Trump. The first lady comforted a sad Belle, wearing the trademark yellow dress.
President Trump patted a little boy, dressed as a mini U.S. Marine, on the cheek as he went through the line
BOO! President Trump and first lady Melania Trump handed out candy in front of a spookified White House
President Trump (left) and first lady Melania Trump (right) arrive on the South Lawn Monday night for the White House’s Halloween festivities
The White House was decorated Monday night in a haunted forest theme, with black spooky trees and pumpkins galore
DINO-MITE: Early on, President Trump gave a point of approval to a young man in an inflatable dinosaur costume
The mini Marine marches off after getting special attention from President Trump
A little girl dressed as a Monarch butterfly grabs a Hershey’s candy bar from first lady Melania Trump
First lady Melania Trump looks spooked by a child sporting a skeleton costume
The Trumps admire a little girl dressed up as a Monarch butterfly
The Trumps give a bemused expression to a creepy clown walking through the line Monday night
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted out a photo of the festive decorations before trick-or-treaters arrived
A child in an inflatable Minion costume posed a challenge to the Trumps, who ended up putting candy on the kid’s head.
It quickly fell to the ground.
Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway – not in costume – was spotted jumping the line and then posing for selfies.
The first couple stayed outside for 38 minutes.
The White House was decorated with a haunted forest theme.
Black trees surrounded the South Portico with branches wrapping around the columns and climbing up to the Trump Balcony, while pumpkins trailed down the East and West staircases, their vines intertwined along the railings.
Fog machines pumped out white mist to give the South Lawn a spooky aura.
Handing out candy to kids is a long time tradition at the White House for the president and first lady.
Mamie Eisenhower first started celebrating the holiday at the executive mansion in 1958, according to the White House Historical Association. But it was the Nixons who started to invite local children to participate.
President Trump admires the costume of a young police officer, toting a jack-o-lantern candy basket
Two more dinosaurs come through, a popular costume at the White House this year
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet a young jockey
White House reporters who traveled with President Trump to Chicago aboard Air Force One Monday were treated to peppers dressed as jack-o-lanterns
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are silhouetted against the White House during the annual Halloween festivities
The president and first lady hand out candy in front of the White House made to look like a haunted forest
The United States Air Force Strolling Strings played a number of recognizable songs including the theme from the ‘Harry Potter’ movies and the television show ‘Game of Thrones.’
In addition to the sweet treats, there were fun activities for the kids, including checking out a space suit from NASA and a tractor from the Department of Agriculture.
The Department of the Interior gave out Junior Ranger Explorer and Fishing books, badges, and stickers.
And the Secret Service brought Presidential Limo known as ‘The Beast,’ for the kids to check out.
Earlier in the day, reporters traveling with the president aboard Air Force One to Chicago got to partake in a little Halloween cheer too, as their stuffed peppers featured Jack-o-Lantern faces.