A Halloween Celebration at the Presidential Residence
The leader of the country and his wife held a major Halloween event at their official residence, welcoming hundreds of costume-clad guests. The attendees ranged from pint-sized superheroes and prehistoric creatures to youngsters imitating the presidential couple themselves.
No Disguise for the Presidential Couple
As the sun began to set, the President and his wife made their appearance on the South Lawn. The evening's soundtrack was a symphonic rendition of the popular song "Thriller." Both of them decided to forego costumes, with the President in his usual attire of a blue suit, red tie, and a matching cap with "USA" emblazoned on it. His wife opted for a warm brown coat over an orange dress.
Trick or Treat at the Presidential Residence
They distributed generous treats, full-sized candy bars, and licorice sticks in boxes bearing the presidential seal. There was a long queue of children and their parents waiting their turn down the driveway. Construction work for a new ballroom at the residence was shielded from view by temporary walls. However, a solitary parked bulldozer was still visible on the other side.
Commenting on the crowd, the President remarked, "It's a long line. It's almost as big as the ballroom."
Festival Continues Despite Challenges
The Halloween celebration continued as usual even though the President had just returned from a six-day tour of Asia that included Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. The festivities also went on amidst a government shutdown, which had entered its 30th day.
The President had called for the government to resume operations. However, lawmakers from the other major political party demanded an extension of tax credits that have enabled millions to afford health insurance. Their counterparts have refused to negotiate until the shutdown ends.
Despite the financial impact of import tariffs on Chinese goods causing a hike in the prices of Halloween costumes, the official residence was adorned with autumn-themed decorations and carved pumpkins.
The Guests and Their Costumes
Among those attending the Halloween bash were the children of the military personnel and staff working at the residence. The press secretary attended with her young son, who was dressed as a pumpkin. A former aide was disguised as a skeleton, while her husband, the deputy chief of staff, stuck to his usual business attire.
Hundreds of children, from tiny tots to early teens, arrived dressed as popular superheroes, ballerinas, princesses, and even leprechauns. Two boys mimicked the President's look with their suits and caps, excluding his signature hairstyle. A girl accompanying them wore a white coat over a dress, similar to the First Lady's style.
Several parents also wore "USA" caps, similar to the President's. Some of the younger attendees seemed hesitant to interact with the Presidential couple, but they managed to put them at ease. One memorable costume was a youngster sitting on an inflatable toilet, which had "Wide Load" printed on the back.