A photo of Donald Trump showing kids a trading card of himself, taken shortly after the recent attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, has stirred strong reactions online. In the picture, Trump looks serious as he holds a clear case containing the card.
The moment happened during the White House’s Easter Egg Roll event, where Trump was coloring with kids. Many people online didn’t think it was appropriate, especially since it showed him in a dramatic light not long after the incident.
One person said kids didn’t need to see a picture of him after being shot. Another criticized him for what they thought was turning a serious event into a spectacle. Someone else sarcastically said he was probably telling the children how the Democrats tried to kill him but couldn’t. There were also comments about his facial expression and how strange the whole moment seemed.
However, not everyone was upset. Some defended the photo, saying it wasn’t a big deal. One person joked that Easter itself is about someone surviving an assassination attempt. Another called it both cute and unsettling.
The photo was reportedly taken when a little girl tried to high-five Trump, but he didn’t respond right away. She tried again, and then he finally gave her the high-five. Some critics used the delay to claim Trump was showing signs of confusion, but many of his supporters rushed to defend him online. They praised the moment as sweet and said the girl was lucky. One supporter even said the high-five was more meaningful than any staged photo with President Biden or speeches by Vice President Kamala Harris. Another person took a jab at Biden, referencing past claims of inappropriate behavior around children.
Trump spent time with families on the South Lawn during the event, along with Melania Trump, who rarely appears in public these days. During his speech, Trump said they expected about 42,000 visitors for the day. He also mentioned that flags would be flown at half-staff to honor Pope Francis, who had passed away.
Trump called Easter a very special holiday, saying it’s about honoring Jesus Christ and that religion is making a comeback in the country. This year’s Easter Egg Roll celebrated the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s founding. Children took part in activities like signing small versions of the Declaration of Independence and dressing up like the Founding Fathers. At 11 a.m., Trump gave a short speech to the press and then blew a whistle to start the children’s egg race.
