Remarks by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the 2017 White House Easter Egg Roll

South Lawn

10:27 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: What a great voice. Thank you very much. Great job. I want to thank everybody. This is the 139th Easter Egg Roll. Think of it -- 139. It began a long time ago -- 1878. And we will be stronger and bigger and better as a nation than ever before. We're right on track. You see what's happening, and we're right on track. So thank you, everybody, for being here.

We're going to do cards for soldiers in a little bit, Melania and Barron and myself. We're going downstairs, we're going to sign some cards to our great troops -- they're cards for troops -- and we look forward to that. And then we're going to come out and join you, and enjoy your company for a roll, a great Easter Egg Roll. And I don’t know if we're going to be successful, but I know a lot of people down there are going to be successful. I've seen those kids, and they're highly, highly competitive. (Laughter.) That I can tell you.

I just want to thank First Lady Melania Trump. She's really worked hard on this. (Applause.) She has been working on this for a long time to make it perfect, and we wanted to keep it just right. So I want to just ask her to speak. But before she speaks, I want to congratulate her on this wonderful, wonderful day. We're going to have a lot of people -- a lot of people -- and they're going to have a great time.

So, Melania, thank you very much. And, Barron, thank you very much for being here. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Honey -- First Lady, Melania Trump. Thank you, everybody.

MRS. TRUMP: Thank you. Welcome to the White House. This is the first time that my husband and I are hosting this wonderful tradition, and it's great that you are all with us today. I hope you have a great time, with many activities.

I want to thank the military band, all the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure that you have a memorable experience. I want to thank all the military with us today -- (applause) -- and all military in this great nation, and servicemen and servicewomen all around the world keeping us safe.

As we renew this tradition, thank you for joining us. On behalf of the President and Barron, we wish you great fun and beautiful days coming ahead of us. And Happy Easter. Thank you. God bless you. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Happy Easter. And have a great, great time. Have a great day. Thank you, folks. Thank you very much. I'm coming down. I'm going to be joining you. Thank you very much. My whole family is here. Thank you.

END 10:31 A.M. EDT