The U.S. White House is seeking corporate sponsors for the Easter egg roll competition, which will be held on April 21. According to a nine-page document sent to potential sponsors, confirmed by CNN and The New York Times (NYT) on the 23rd (local time), corporate sponsorships start at $75,000 (approximately 100.9 million won) and can choose from one of three options up to $200,000 (approximately 293.04 million won). Corporations that contribute the most will be able to set up a booth at the White House on the day of the Easter event and sell snacks or beverages branded with their company name. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to attend a brunch with Melania Trump, meet with reporters covering the White House, and receive a personal tour of the White House.
The White House Easter egg roll has been a tradition for 147 years since the Rutherford B. Hayes administration in 1878, and this is the first time corporate sponsorship has been sought, raising ethical and legal concerns. Asking corporations to sponsor the Easter event in exchange for opportunities to promote their brands inside the White House violates federal law, which prohibits public officials from using their position for private gain.
Richard W. Painter, who served as senior ethics counsel in the White House Counsel's Office during the presidency of George W. Bush, pointed out that allowing private companies to use official events to promote their brands and funnel revenue to private nonprofit organizations is a violation of federal law. Painter noted to CNN, “If I had been at the White House, this proposal would have been rejected in 30 seconds. We did not operate the White House like a stadium where you can place advertisements everywhere for money.”
U.S. President Donald Trump used his office for personal gain both before and after his inauguration. On the 11th, Trump was seen standing next to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, with five Tesla vehicles parked on the White House lawn, promoting Tesla while taking a ride in a ‘Model S’ with Musk. Before the inauguration on January 20, he also introduced a cryptocurrency called ‘TRUMP’, named after himself.
Meanwhile, the company seeking corporate sponsors for the White House Easter event is Harbinger, an event production company established by Republican aides in 2013. The funds raised by Harbinger will be deposited into the account of the White House Historical Association, a private nonprofit organization founded by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. CNN reported, citing sources, that “Any excess funds raised will be used for other White House events such as Independence Day and Halloween parties,” adding, “One sponsor has been confirmed for the Easter event and discussions are ongoing with others.”