President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump handed candy to young trick-or-treaters on the White House South Lawn on Thursday evening, taking a brief break between the president’s campaign rallies and the roar of passing aircraft.
Trump wore a dark blue suit with a royal blue tie, while Melania chose a brown Noor Hammour trench coat and Manolo Blahnik snake-print pumps for the event.
Guests included military personnel, law enforcement officers, and foster and adoptive families, according to the First Lady’s office. The South Portico was decorated around a harvest-moon theme as a band performed.
Violins and cellos played spooky selections inspired by Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Jaws and other favorites, performed by the US Air Force Strolling Strings.
The president and first lady emerged holding the hand of a young girl as costumed guests began forming a line for candy and photographs.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, his wife Jennifer and several of their children were greeted by the president and first lady. Trump adviser Stephen Miller and his wife, Katie Miller, also attended with their children.
A giant inflatable moon was positioned above the White House’s southern facade, overlooking the president and first lady as they welcomed guests. A sign reading “Halloween 2026” hung above the entrance.
Air Force One soon flew overhead at low altitude and a slow speed, giving the costumed families gathered below a close-up display.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hand out candy as they welcome children during the “Halloween at the White House” event on October 29, 2026, in Washington
The president attended a campaign rally in South Carolina just hours before the Halloween event
The White House said this year’s decorations followed a “harvest moon” theme
President Trump greeted trick-or-treaters outside the White House, which was decorated for Halloween
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, his wife Jennifer and their children attended the event. They stood in line near Trump adviser Stephen Miller, his wife Katie Miller and their children
The event was held on the South Lawn, where two children dressed as police officers greeted the president and First Lady
The new aircraft, which Qatari officials gifted to the president, made two passes over the executive residence.
Trump appeared upbeat throughout the celebration, which offered the Republican a short break from his demanding schedule.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Inside ITV’s Big Brother House: Its Orwellian New Look Revealed
Earlier in the day, he attended a rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he urged the crowd to “pretend that I’m on the ballot.”
Once the trick-or-treating event ended, he was expected to take part in two additional tele-rallies.
Last year, Trump recreated a viral Halloween moment from 2019 by placing a chocolate bar on the head of a child dressed as DJ Marshmello.
The youngster appeared to take the joke in stride, walking away with the candy balanced atop the glowing costume.
In 2019, Trump famously tapped a child wearing a Despicable Me minion costume with a chocolate bar.
Instead of dropping the candy into the child’s treat bag, as he had done with the other youngsters, Trump tapped the costume’s head before placing the bar on top.
The White House has hosted an annual Halloween celebration since 1958, during President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration.
This year’s festivities came during the campaign season, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday and Republicans working to retain control of both chambers of Congress.
Democrats have gained momentum, with polls and election forecasts increasingly indicating that they are favored to take control of the House and Senate.
Trump is scheduled to travel to Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday for another rally as he campaigns for Republicans in the final days of the midterm race.
President Trump placed a chocolate bar on the head of a child dressed as a minion in 2019
Donald Trump and Melania Trump hand out candy at the White House in 2025, revisiting the 2019 stunt in which he placed a chocolate bar on a trick-or-treater’s head
Trump had been expected to hold a rally in Kansas on Saturday, Halloween itself, but the event was canceled Thursday.
The president appeared likely to return to his Mar-a-Lago home on Saturday, possibly arriving as early as Friday, according to The Palm Beach Daily News.
The publication reported that flight restrictions connected to presidential travel were expected to be in place over the weekend.
The Mar-a-Lago Club’s annual Halloween party was also expected to take place Saturday night.
