Flashback: Biden’s Easter celebrations frequently marred by gaffes, controversy
Former President Joe Biden and his administration found themselves at the center of a series of gaffes and controversies during the Easter holiday, including an incident where the Easter bunny abruptly whisked the 46th president away from reporters at the 2022 Easter Egg Roll. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participated in the 147th annual event on the White House’s South Lawn, continuing a tradition that dates back to Rutherford B. Hayes’ presidency in 1878.
The Easter bunny incident occurred as Biden was speaking to the media about Afghanistan and Pakistan when the bunny suddenly approached him, waving their hands with great animation and directing him away from the reporters. Biden appeared caught off guard by the interruption and walked away from the press. This incident unfolded amid mounting scrutiny over Biden’s mental acuity and age as the 2024 election approached.
During the 2024 Easter season, the Biden administration faced backlash for recognizing “Transgender Day of Visibility” on Easter Sunday, a move that was criticized by religious conservatives. The White House statement honoring transgender Americans on Easter Sunday was met with outrage, with some calling it an attack on Christianity. The decision to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter was seen as disrespectful to the holiest holiday for Christians.
In another Easter gaffe, Biden appeared to mispronounce “Easter” as “oyster” while introducing a pair of Easter bunnies at the White House’s Egg Roll. The apparent flub drew mockery online and raised concerns about the president’s mental acuity. Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also delivered a flat April Fools’ joke during the 2024 Easter Egg Roll, joking that Biden would revoke the Hatch Act, which bans certain forms of political activity by executive branch staffers.
The administration’s repeated references to the Hatch Act to dodge questions about Biden’s 2024 campaign added to the controversy surrounding the Easter holiday. This year, the Democratic National Committee shared an Easter message celebrating Democratic presidents but notably excluded a photo of Biden, opting instead for images of former Presidents Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.
In response, the Trump administration posted a side-by-side video of Trump and Biden at their respective White House Easter Egg Rolls with a caption that read, “BREAKING: The White House is no longer a nursing home.” The Easter controversies surrounding Biden and his administration have sparked debate and criticism, underscoring the challenges faced by the former president during his time in office.
