Logos from major tech companies and industry groups were prominently displayed at Monday’s White House Easter Egg Roll, marking an unusual use of the historic grounds to spotlight corporate sponsors. Children played while a military band performed “Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide” beneath a stage adorned with rabbits and eggs bearing the YouTube logo. Nearby, crowds gathered at Meta’s branded tent, which featured a photo op with a White House-themed Instagram backdrop.
The sponsorships—first reported by CNN in March—have raised ethical and legal concerns, as they appear to conflict with longstanding rules barring the use of public office for private gain. A document from the outside production company Harbinger described opportunities such as “naming rights” and logo placements on event signage.
Amazon hosted a booth on the South Lawn, and the New York Stock Exchange sponsored a photo station where families rang a mock trading bell—even as the Dow plunged over 1,000 points that day. Attendees also passed under a carrot arch branded by the International Fresh Produce Association, while Slinkys were handed out in a Toy Association-sponsored play area. A reading nook bearing Amazon signage offered space for families to relax, though First Lady Melania Trump held her reading of Bunny with a Big Heart in a separate, more traditionally decorated garden area away from corporate logos.
Funding from corporate sponsors supported everything from activities and entertainment to staging and décor.
According to reports, any surplus funds will be used for future White House events like Halloween and the Fourth of July. Proceeds from sponsorships benefit the nonprofit White House Historical Association.
