Corporate Booths and Logo Placement for Up to 300 Million KRW
Trump Faces Criticism Over Meme Coin Issuance and Tesla Test Drive Event
The White House in the United States is once again drawing attention to President Donald Trump as it seeks corporate sponsors to fund the traditional annual Easter event. Following the issuance of meme coins and a Tesla test drive event within the White House, criticism continues that the president is using his official position for personal gain.
Local media, including CNN, reported on the 23rd (local time) that the White House is attempting to turn the upcoming 'White House Easter Egg Roll' event next month into a branding opportunity for corporations.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are descending the stairs to attend the 'White House Easter Egg Roll' event held at the White House on April 22, 2019 (local time), during their first term. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
The White House is looking for corporate sponsors to fund this year's Egg Roll event through an external event company called Havinger, offering branding opportunities in return. However, these media outlets pointed out that this decision raises ethical and legal concerns.
According to a nine-page event guide obtained by CNN, companies can participate by paying sponsorship fees ranging from a minimum of $75,000 (about 120 million KRW) to a maximum of $200,000 (about 300 million KRW). Choosing the most expensive $200,000 option grants benefits such as setting up a corporate booth, logo placement, providing snacks or drinks branded with the company logo, attending brunch with First Lady Melania Trump, opportunities to interact with the White House press corps, a private White House tour, and 150 event tickets.
Having launched the corporate sponsorship drive, Havinger was founded in 2013 by Republican staffers. In its brochure, the company promoted, "In exchange for funding, activities, and gifts to elevate the event's prestige, you can gain brand visibility and national recognition," urging sponsors to "be part of history."
The 'Easter Egg Roll,' with a 147-year tradition, is one of the largest annual events the White House holds for the public. Thousands of children participate by rolling hard-boiled eggs without breaking them on the White House lawn. The American Egg Board (AEB), a marketing group promoting the egg industry, sponsors thousands of eggs, and all funds raised are delivered to the White House Historical Association, a nonprofit private educational institution founded by Jacqueline Kennedy. Under federal regulations prohibiting federal employees from using their positions for private gain, there has been no corporate-related promotional activity like this until now.
Richard W. Painter, who served as chief ethics attorney in the White House Counsel's Office during the George W. Bush administration, told CNN, "Allowing private companies to promote their brands at the White House and funneling the proceeds to a private nonprofit organization is a clear violation of regulations."
Former U.S. President Barack Obama participating in the White House Easter Egg Roll event during his tenure. Photo by AP Yonhap News
This is not the first time President Trump has been criticized for using his official position for personal benefit.
President Trump and First Lady Melania each launched their own meme coins just before the inauguration in January, sparking conflicts of interest controversies. Additionally, on the 11th, President Trump test drove a Tesla Model S on the White House grounds with Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO and a close aide leading federal government reform, and even purchased the vehicle. Local media mocked this, saying, "It is unprecedented for a sitting president to promote a specific product at the White House," and sarcastically remarked that "President Trump has become a Tesla salesman."
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