WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump used the White House Easter Egg Roll to declare Monday that “religion is coming back to America” as he addressed thousands gathered on the South Lawn to take part in the nearly 150-year-old annual holiday tradition. 

What You Need To Know

  • President Donald Trump used the White House Easter Egg Roll to declare that “religion is coming back to America” as he addressed thousands gathered on the South Lawn for the nearly 150-year-old annual holiday tradition
  • About 42,000 people, according to the president, were set to descend on the White House grounds throughout the day to watch children hunt for eggs and race them across a finish line. Attendees are chosen via a lottery
  • The annual White House holiday tradition dates back to 1878 but this year came just hours after the death of Pope Francis; Trump used his remarks at the egg roll to announce he signed an executive order directing flags to be lowered in honor of the late pope, calling him a “good man” who “worked hard” and “loved the world"
  • A list of activities at this year’s event from the White House includes an AI-powered experience and photo opportunity put on by Meta, a “Bunny Hop” stage courtesy of YouTube and a reading nook put on by Amazon

“We're honoring Jesus Christ, and we're going to honor Jesus Christ very powerfully throughout our lives, all throughout our lives — not just now, all throughout our lives,” Trump, who created a “anti-Christian bias task force” less than a month after his return to office, said from the Blue Room balcony overlooking the lawn. “We're bringing religion back in America.”

The president touted the state of his country since his return to the presidency, specifically honing in on military recruitment before making his way to the grass to mingle with families taking part in the Easter festivities. 

About 42,000 people, according to the president, were set to descend on the White House grounds throughout the day to watch children hunt for eggs and race them across a finish line. Attendees are chosen via a lottery. 

Other activities include a writing station for children to send messages to U.S. troops and a space exploration station put on by NASA, according to the White House. The theme for this year’s event is a nod to the upcoming celebration for the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, which will take place July 4, 2026. As part of that, children can sign a mini Declaration of Independence and dress up as Founding Fathers. 

The annual White House holiday tradition dates back to 1878 but this year came just hours after the death of Pope Francis. Trump used his remarks at the egg roll to announce he signed an executive order directing flags to be lowered in honor of the late pope, calling him a “good man” who “worked hard” and “loved the world.”  

The pope, who met briefly with Vice President JD Vance over the weekend, had expressed some criticism of Trump’s immigration policies in recent months. 

It also became clear last month that this year’s egg roll would diverge from past renditions of the tradition amid reports that the White House was looking to bring on corporate sponsors for the event, a move that raised questions about compliance with U.S. regulations. 

A list of activities at this year’s event from the White House includes an AI-powered experience and photo opportunity put on by Meta, a “Bunny Hop” stage courtesy of YouTube and a reading nook put on by Amazon.

Among those set to read to children at the nook were first lady Melania Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, press secretary Karoline Leavitt and multiple Cabinet secretaries and members of Congress. 

The American Egg Board, which has partnered with the White House for the egg roll for nearly five decades, donates thousands of eggs for the event, which this year comes during an egg shortage and rise in prices amid the avian flu outbreak.