Sponsorship Details and Historical Context
The Trump administration is offering corporate sponsorships for the annual , with packages ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, including branding opportunities and an invite-only brunch with .
This tradition, originating in 1878, has typically been funded without taxpayer dollars, largely through the , with past sponsorships not featuring the level of branding and visibility proposed this year.
Ethical Implications and Reactions
The solicitation of corporate sponsors has raised concerns among ethics experts and former officials from both parties, with criticisms focused on the potential for public office to be used for private gain and the blurring of lines between government and business.
, a former White House ethics attorney, and other critics argue that the plan violates federal regulations prohibiting the use of public office for private gain, highlighting the unprecedented nature of this approach to the Easter Egg Roll.