Trump Hosts 6,000 at White House Halloween

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted the annual Halloween celebration on the White House South Lawn on Oct. 29, 2026. They handed out candy to costumed children amid harvest-themed decorations and music from an Air Force ensemble. Military, law-enforcement, foster and adoptive families attended, as did administration officials and their families. Construction on the planned White House ballroom continued nearby. Trump chatted with parents and posed for photos. A plane made passes that drew his attention. After he lightly danced to the Ghostbusters theme, the couple went inside about an hour later. PBS News Hour reported jumbo candy bars, a driveway line, children costumed as Barbie, Tigger, Batman and founding fathers, and a low flyover of what it called his Qatari Air Force One jet; the Trumps wore no costumes. Washington Examiner described Air Force One flying over twice. Independent Journal Review put attendance at 6,000. PBS described hundreds of costumed kids. Outlets differed on the headcount and how heavily to feature the flyover. No other disputed figures or next steps appear in the record.