Gone are the days of Obama family Easter fun and Bush family traditional joy. We are in bleak times these days, and this reality is reflected in the faces of the First Family at Easter.
Perhaps this is comforting, as it tells everyone they are not alone. But to think some Americans are so swept up in superficial aspirations that they find this family to be role models for evangelical Christians is further fodder for discouragement.
Easter at the White House, 2018:
The couple:
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump listen to the national anthem during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis
A grimacing President Trump trying to look like this is fun:
U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he stands among children gathered for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Melania walking by herself looking unhappy:
First lady Melania Trump walks by the rose garden after attending the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis
Melania turns away for a side kiss, which is one of the warmer pictures of the two of them:
U.S. President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
A woman side-eyes the President kissing a young girl held by Rick Perry:
U.S. President Donald Trump kisses a little girl being held by U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Vanessa Trump, who recently filed for divorce from Don Jr, makes a grim appearance:
Vanessa Trump, who recently filed for divorce from Donald Trump Jr, attends the annual White House Easter Egg Roll with her estranged husband (L) and their children on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018.
Son Barron crosses his arms signaling that he’d rather be anywhere else – fair enough, this is probably not fun for First Children, but the Right skewered the Obama girls for much less:
Barron Trump attends the annual White House Easter Egg Roll event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Barron is not impressed:
U.S. President Donald Trump’s son Barron attends the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Even the children are concerned and grim:
Children gathered for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll watch U.S. President Donald Trump during the event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
U.S. President Donald Trump greets children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis
There are two pictures that show fun or joy.
Melania reading to the children:
U.S. first lady Melania Trump reads a book to children gathered for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis
And no doubt this occurred by accident and the photographer just caught the fun moment, but here’s hoping Trump would laugh about it:
U.S. President Donald Trump appears on the South Portico of the White House with the Easter Bunny standing behind him as the annual White House Easter Egg Roll is held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
In stark contrast, the Obama’s Easter Egg Rolls.
2015 – click to enlarge:
2016 – click to enlarge:
Other than the featured image, these are not chosen to tell a certain story. The grim photos from the Trump family dominate the pooled photos covering the event. It would be impossible to miss.
The children’s faces echo the feelings of the nation- grim, concerned and confused.
Listen to Sarah on the PoliticusUSA Pod on The Daily newsletter podcast here.
Sarah has been credentialed to cover President Barack Obama, then VP Joe Biden, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and exclusively interviewed Speaker Nancy Pelosi multiple times and exclusively covered her first home appearance after the first impeachment of then President Donald Trump.
Sarah is two-time Telly award winning video producer and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Connect with Sarah on Post, Mastodon @PoliticusSarah@Journa.Host, & Twitter.
Listen to Sarah on the PoliticusUSA Pod on The Daily newsletter podcast here. Sarah has been credentialed to cover President Barack Obama, then VP Joe Biden, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and exclusively interviewed Speaker Nancy Pelosi multiple times and exclusively covered her first home appearance after the first impeachment of then President Donald Trump. Sarah is two-time Telly award winning video producer and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Connect with Sarah on Post, Mastodon @PoliticusSarah@Journa.Host, & Twitter.