Donald Trump is turning the White House Easter Egg Roll into a high-profile marketing opportunity for corporations, offering sponsorships to the highest bidder.
According to CNN, the White House has started reaching out to potential corporate sponsors, with packages ranging from $75,000 to $200,000 for this year’s event. Sponsors who have received the pitch deck have been promised “valuable brand visibility and national recognition” for supporting the event.
Sponsors will also be responsible for providing activities and giveaways during the Easter Egg Roll. As part of the deal, they will get exclusive access to a brunch hosted by First Lady Melania Trump inside the White House, as well as a private tour of the historic building. It’s unclear whether the American Egg Board, which has sponsored the event in the past, will continue its involvement.
The funds raised through these corporate sponsorships will be directed to a private nonprofit group, according to the administration.
The Easter Egg Roll has been a tradition at the White House since 1878, during President Rutherford B. Hayes’ administration. It has continued through both Republican and Democratic presidencies. The event, which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce, has been sponsored by the American Egg Board since 1977, expanding its support in 2016.
This move reflects an ongoing trend by the Trump White House of using federal property for commercial purposes. Just last week, Trump displayed Teslas on the White House lawn alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, sparking controversy over the use of the White House as a marketing platform.
Ethics groups criticized the event, which came amid backlash against the electric vehicle company, further fueling concerns about the commercial use of the White House.
The White House and the American Egg Board have not responded to immediate requests for comment.
