President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed hundreds of costumed children and families to the South Lawn, making a dramatic entrance to an orchestral version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ just hours after the President’s return from an Asia tour.
October 31, 2025: The White House South Lawn was transformed into a festive Halloween spectacle on Thursday evening as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted their annual trick-or-treating celebration for hundreds of invited guests, including military, law enforcement, and foster families.
The highly-anticipated event, streamed on the White House’s YouTube Channel, commenced with a dramatic flourish. As dusk settled, the President and First Lady appeared under the decorated South Portico, walking out to an orchestral arrangement of Michael Jackson’s iconic spooky hit, “Thriller.”
Neither the President nor the First Lady wore a costume. President Trump was dressed in a suit paired with a red “USA” cap, while the First Lady donned a coat with orange accents.
Superheroes, Presidents, and a ‘Party Pooper’
The night was a vibrant mix of costumes, featuring everything from classic superheroes like Spider-Man and Captain America to ballerinas, dinosaurs, and even presidential lookalikes.
- The President was particularly delighted by three siblings dressed as the First Lady, the President (complete with a red cap), and a Secret Service agent. Trump gave his miniature doppelganger a high-five and pointed to the young girl, appearing to mouth, “Melania,” to reporters.
- Another memorable guest was a boy dressed as a filthy toilet with a “wide load” sign on his back, a costume the President seemed amused by, joking about the “party pooper” before handing him a chocolate bar.
- Families of administration officials were also in attendance, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who brought her young son dressed as a jack-o’-lantern.
The couple personally greeted the long line of trick-or-treaters, handing out commemorative, giant-sized Hershey bars bearing the presidential seal. The US Air Force Strolling Strings band provided a festive, spooky atmosphere, playing both traditional Halloween tunes and modern classics. The event, held just hours after President Trump returned from a five-day swing through Asia, successfully carried on the long-standing White House Halloween tradition.