Trump appears with the Easter Bunny amidst rising tensions with Iran, and the image goes viral

The official White House account on X posted a photograph on Monday of Donald Trump and the Easter Bunny from behind, waving from the South Portico balcony with the Washington Monument in the background, accompanied solely by the text "Icons.".

The image was taken during the Easter Egg Roll 2026, the traditional Easter Monday celebration on the South Lawn of the White House, which this year had a patriotic theme in honor of the 250th anniversary of independence of the United States.

The event brought together 40,000 eggs, 150 live chicks from the American Egg Board, readings by Melania Trump, and activities for families with children under 13 selected through a free lottery. Eric Trump attended with Laura Trump, and Tiffany Trump was there with her husband Michael Boulos.

What made the scene a surreal moment was the contrast: while families were enjoying the festivities, Trump delivered a speech about the war with Iran with the Easter bunny literally beside him on the south lawn of the White House.

The Israeli journalist Eylon Levy posted the video on X with the comment: "The President of the United States addresses the nation regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran, flanked by the Easter Bunny while describing military operations. We live in a simulation."

In that speech, Trump announced the rescue of two crew members from the F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down on April 3 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, calling it a "Easter miracle". It was the first U.S. manned aircraft shot down on Iranian soil since the onset of the conflict, known as Operation Epic Fury, which has been ongoing for 37 days.

The second crew member, a colonel and weapons systems officer, remained hidden for more than 36 hours in mountainous terrain before being evacuated to Kuwait with minor injuries. The rescue operation involved HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, C-130 aircraft, and support from the CIA and Israel. Two MC-130J Commando II, valued between 90 and 110 million dollars each, were destroyed in Iranian territory to prevent their capture.

"Those two pilots were incredible, brave, and we thank them," Trump said during the event. He also described Iran as "a very hostile territory" and acknowledged the opponent's capability: "Not as strong as a month ago, I can tell you".

The warlike context surrounding the family celebration extended beyond the rescue. Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran on Monday until 8 p.m. Tuesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since March 4 due to mines, drones, and missiles, leaving around 2,000 ships and 20,000 sailors stranded, and causing the price of Brent crude to soar above 115 dollars per barrel.

"They have until tomorrow. We give them until tomorrow at 8 o'clock sharp, Eastern Time. And after that, they will have no bridges. They will have no power plants. The Stone Age," warned Trump in a video released by the Department of State.

Iran formally rejected Washington's 15-point peace plan on Monday, calling it "extremely ambitious and illogical," and presented a 10-point counterproposal. The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baqaei, responded: "Negotiation is not at all compatible with ultimatums, crimes, or threats of committing war crimes."

Amid discussions about military operations and threats of bombings, Trump also found a moment to joke with the present children: "I can sign autographs for you, and tonight you can sell them for $25,000 on eBay," he told them.