White House seeks corporate sponsor for Easter Egg Roll, raising ethics questions

• CNN and The New York Times are reporting that next month’s Easter Egg Roll will include an outside agency named Harbinger. The agency is seeking corporate sponsors for the event.
• Critics are raising the possibility that having paid sponsors might violate regulations forbidding the use of public office for private gain.
• Any money raised from the event would go to the White House Historical Association.

Full Story

Easter is less than a month away and a tradition at the White House is taking a new roll that is raising ethical questions. CNN and The New York Times reported that an outside production company, named Harbinger, is seeking corporate sponsors for the event.

The egg roll, which began back in 1878, has a history of being privately funded. The American Egg Board provides tens of thousands of eggs for the event.

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How much does it cost to become a sponsor?

Reports indicate that Harbinger is seeking sponsorships, ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, which include logo and branding opportunities. Some of those opportunities include initial planning and “event day execution”.

What’s included in the sponsorship package?

Other amenities include sponsor logos featured on signage, custom-branded baskets, snacks, beverages, souvenirs and mentions in official communications like social media posts. The document also mentions an invite-only brunch, hosted inside the White House by the First Lady and a private White House tour.

What might be the potential conflict with such sponsorships?

Such sponsorships appear to violate regulations forbidding the use of public office for private gain.

Former White House General Counsel Official Richard Painter told CNN, in his time in the position, they would have rejected the idea. He compared it to logos that are put up at a football stadium.

Any funds, raised by Harbinger, will be placed into an account run by the White House Historical Association.

“For many presidencies, the White House Historical Association has collaborated with White House staff to facilitate a public gathering such as the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. And as we do with other gifts to the White House collection, we receive contributions and in-kind gifts that are used on the grounds that day,” White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin said.

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How many sponsors have signed up to be part of the event?

So far, there is reportedly one sponsor. The National Park Service, which oversees White House grounds, is responsible for vetting potential donors.