Footage from the annual White House Easter Egg Roll appeared to show a person in an Easter Bunny costume guiding President Joe Biden away mid-sentence as he discussed Pakistan and Afghanistan, prompting a wave of online speculation and renewed criticism from Republican figures about the president’s public appearances.
President Joe Biden appeared to be steered away from a question about Afghanistan by a person dressed as the Easter Bunny during the White House Easter Egg Roll on 18 April 2022. Footage from the event showed Biden speaking to reporters about Pakistan and Afghanistan when the costumed figure approached and guided him toward another part of the event before he had finished his response. The clip quickly spread on social media, with several Republican figures suggesting the moment illustrated concerns about the president being managed during public appearances.
What the footage showed
The White House Easter Egg Roll is one of the administration’s largest annual public events, typically drawing thousands of children and families to the South Lawn for games, entertainment and other activities. The tradition dates back to 1878, during the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes.
According to the footage, Biden was in the middle of addressing questions about Pakistan’s political situation and developments in Afghanistan when the person in the bunny costume approached and appeared to pull him away mid-sentence. Other clips from the event showed the same costumed figure speaking with Biden as he greeted families elsewhere at the gathering.
Political reaction
The footage generated significant reaction online, with critics suggesting the president had effectively been “handled” during the exchange, while others argued the moment reflected ordinary event management at a large, crowded public function. The White House did not say the bunny had acted to prevent Biden from answering questions, and officials routinely direct the president’s movements during public events in order to keep him on schedule.
Abigail Marone, press secretary to Republican senator Josh Hawley, wrote on social media: “Why is the Easter Bunny directing the President of the United States?” She claimed the bunny had intervened as Biden “rambled incoherently” about Afghanistan.
Republican operative Jake Schneider also weighed in, writing: “Even the Easter Bunny knows not to let Joe Biden talk foreign policy.” The moment became part of a broader political debate over Biden’s age and fitness for office, a subject Republicans frequently raised throughout his presidency.
Identity of the person in costume
The identity of the person inside the bunny suit became the subject of speculation among social media users following the event. Some initially pointed to White House press assistant Angela Perez, who had posted a photo of herself in a bunny suit roughly an hour before the event took place.
However, the person inside the Easter Bunny costume during the incident was later identified as Megan Hayes, who at the time served as Director of Message Planning in the White House Office of Communications. The White House Easter Bunny is traditionally portrayed by a member of staff or a volunteer rather than a professional performer, and the identity of the person in costume is usually not confirmed until after the event has taken place.
