Trump opens Easter Egg Roll with talk of economy, military

After blowing the whistle to begin one of many egg rolls taking place throughout the day, Trump joined children seated at a picnic table, where they colored cards for U.S. troops. He appeared to answer a question from a child about the wall the president wants to build along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Oh, it’s happening. It’s being built now,” Trump said at the table. “There’s a young guy just said, ‘Keep building that wall.’ Do you believe this? He’s going to be a conservative someday.”

The president also talked about the economy and the military, telling the crowd on a sunny morning that “Our country is doing fantastically” and that he is rebuilding the armed forces “to a level we have never seen before.”

More than 30,000 adults and children were expected to stream through the gates all day for a chance to participate in the main event, rolling eggs across the lawn. Tens of thousands of eggs were donated for the event. Some were given away as “egg pops,” hard-boiled eggs on a stick.

The first lady added two new activities this year – musical eggs, played just like musical chairs, and hopscotch – to a roster that included a musical stage, an egg hunt, egg and cookie decorating, and multiple photo opportunities, including at a mini presidential lectern.

In the reading nook, Mrs. Trump read “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Winfield Martin.

U.S. military bands provided entertainment.

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Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap

Darlene Superville, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Trump opens Easter Egg Roll with talk of economy, military

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