Easter Is Brought To You By…

In a sane world, this story would never exist. However, we don’t live in a sane world and stupid people are running the White House. Editorially, we feel that this story needs some kind of disclaimer because, in any other timeline or universe, the issue would never come up. So, before reading any further, please understand that this is not a joke. We’re not making up a damn thing. This really is happening. Go ahead and pour another cup of coffee.

The White House is looking for corporate sponsors for the White House Easter Egg Roll.

The sponsorship offers range from $75,000 to $200,000, with the promise of logo and branding opportunities, according to a nine-page document sent to potential sponsors. Among the offerings for prospective sponsors: “Naming rights for key areas or elements,” “Sponsor logos featured on event signage,” “Custom-branded baskets, snacks/beverages, or souvenirs,” “Mentions in official event communications and social media posts,” “Acknowledgment in printed or digital event programs,” and “Inclusion in press releases and media interviews.” Sponsors can also gain access to an “invite-only brunch hosted inside the White House by FLOTUS,” tickets to the event, and a private White House tour.

The first question that should pop into everyone’s mind is, “Is this even legal?” The answer is uhm… maybe?

There isn’t a specific law that categorically prohibits commercial sponsorships of White House events like the Easter Egg Roll. Government agencies, including the White House, can accept donations and gifts, and sponsorships are often framed as a form of donation. However, some important regulations and restrictions govern this.

Let’s start with 18 U.S. Code § 201 (Bribery, Graft, and Conflicts of Interest): This is the most critical law. It prohibits government officials from receiving anything of value in exchange for being influenced in the performance of their official duties. A sponsorship deal would be illegal if it were structured as a quid pro quo – “We’ll give you money if you do X, Y, or Z.” The sponsorship must be a genuine donation, not a bribe or an attempt to buy influence. With this administration, such conversations are typically not directly divulged until it’s too late to do anything about them.

Next up, there’s Appropriations Clause (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 9, Clause 7): Congress controls the government’s purse strings. Any money received by the government, including sponsorship funds, typically needs to be deposited in the Treasury and appropriated by Congress for a specific purpose. There are some exceptions for “gifts and bequests,” but the legal interpretation can be complex. The White House Easter Egg Roll is being handled by a third-party event planner, so that muddies that water a bit on this law.

Then, don’t forget the Hatch Act: This law restricts the political activities of federal employees. While not directly related to sponsorships, it’s relevant because the Easter Egg Roll is a public event. The event and any associated sponsorship activities shouldn’t be used to promote a particular political party or candidate. President Felonious Punk ran into problems with this law in his first administration, but both Congress and the courts chose to look in the other direction. We don’t expect either body to respond differently this time around.

In addition to specific laws, Executive branch employees are subject to strict gift rules. These rules limit the value of gifts that employees can accept from outside sources, and they prohibit accepting gifts in exchange for official action. The sponsorship has to be structured in a way that complies with these gift rules, likely by having the funds go to the government (e.g., the National Park Service, which manages the White House grounds) rather than to individual officials. In this case, all money raised for the event is supposed to the White House Historical Association.

The government generally cannot endorse or appear to endorse specific commercial products or services, but that rule has already been broken by having a Tesla commercial right out in front of the White House. The sponsorship arrangement has to be carefully structured to avoid the appearance of an official endorsement. This is a key ethical concern, but is anyone in the White House paying attention to ethics?

The Easter Egg Roll is a traditional, family-oriented event held on public grounds. Overt commercialization detracts from the event’s character and makes it feel less like a public celebration and more like a marketing opportunity. Even if a sponsorship deal is technically legal, it can create the appearance of impropriety. The public might reasonably question whether sponsors are receiving special access or influence in exchange for their financial support. This erodes public trust.

Upon viewing the pitch document, Richard Painter, who served in the White House Counsel’s Office under President George W. Bush, told CNN that it “wouldn’t have gotten through Counsel’s Office. That would have been vetoed in about 30 seconds in my day,” he said. “We’re not running this like a football stadium where you get all logos all over the place for kicking in money.”

This is a disgrace and if we’re being totally honest, it’s also an insult to Christianity, although all religious affiliations were stripped from the event long ago to avoid First Amendment issues. Yet, this is where we are. We’re anxious to see which brown-nosing corporations step up to be involved.