News: Trump tells egg rollers, 'we're right on track'

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Thousands of children are heading to the White House for its biggest social event of the year: the annual Easter Egg Roll. (April 17) AP

President Trump at the Easter Egg Roll. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP)

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WASHINGTON — President Trump marked his first Easter Egg Roll on Monday by defending his record in office.

"We will be stronger and bigger and better as a nation than ever before and we are right on track," Trump said from the South Portico balcony, though he did not provide specifics in his brief remarks ahead of the annual festivities that date back to 1878.

"You see what's happening, and we're right on track," Trump repeated.

Later, while greeting members of the crowd, Trump responded to a question about his message for North Korea in light of this past weekend's failed missile test.

"They have to behave," Trump said.

In hosting the egg roll — whistling races to start, standing at attention for the national anthem beside the Easter bunny — Trump fulfilled one of the first ceremonial duties of his young tenure, as did first lady Melania Trump.

In her brief remarks to revelers, Mrs. Trump thanked military service members "who are keeping us safe" around the globe.

The Trumps hosted a scaled-down version of the event. The White House expected more than 21,000 children and adults to attend the Easter Egg Roll, down from the 35,000 guests who passed through the gates last year.

After his remarks, the president signed greeting cards for soldiers stationed overseas,autographed at least one children's book, and shook hands with members of the crowd.

Mrs. Trump, meanwhile, read a story to children called Party Animals.

"It shows we are all different but we are all the same," she said.

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The White House Easter Egg Roll through the years

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First lady Melania Trump reads a book during the 139th White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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Colored Easter eggs are ready to be used during the White House Easter Egg Roll. Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Eleven-month-old Victoria Cheng and her mother Guliana Cheng, both from San Francisco, prepare to participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll. Carolyn Kaster, AP

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President Donald Trump, joined by the Easter Bunny, speaks from the Truman Balcony during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House. Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Children participate in the egg roll during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 17, 2017. Shawn Thew, European Pressphoto Agency

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President Donald J. Trump makes cards for members of the military at the annual Easter Egg roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Pool photo by Olivier Douliery

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First Lady Melania Trump hugs a girl as they make cards for members of the military. Pool photo by Olivier Douliery

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A youngster wears a 'Make America Great Again' hat with bunny ears during the 139th Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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Young guests in Easter bonnets prepare to roll their Easter eggs during the 139th Easter Egg Roll. Win McNamee, Getty Images

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White House press secretary Sean Spicer reads to a group of children with the help of Joshua at the 139th White House Easter Egg Roll. Jasper Colt, USA TODAY NETWORK

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Zane Taylor poses for a photo at a miniature replica of the White House lectern at the 139th White House Easter Egg Roll. Jasper Colt, USA TODAY NETWORK

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Kids take part in the White House Easter Egg Roll festivities on the White House South Lawn in Washington on March 28, 2016. Kevin Wolf, AP Images for American Egg Board

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President Barack Obama greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll March 28, 2016, in Washington, DC. Win McNamee, Getty Images

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First lady Michelle Obama, center, dances with members of the All Stars from from the television show 'So You Can Dance' during the 137th annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington D.C., on April 6, 2015. Pool photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool

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President Barack Obama lifts Stella Munoz into the air while greeting guests on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll March 28, 2016, in Washington, D.C. Win McNamee, Getty Images

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Fifth Harmony performs the 'Happy Birthday' song from the Truman Balcony to mark the fifth anniversary of Michelle Obama's Let's Move program during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 6, 2015, in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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President Barack Obama reads the book, 'Where the Wild Things Are,' to children attending the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 21, 2014. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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Colorful eggs await the throngs of children attending the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2014, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. J. Scott Applewhite, AP

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A person dressed as a Easter bunny watches children participate in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn April 21, 2014, in Washington, DC. Pool photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool

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A young girl takes part in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. Win McNamee, Getty Images

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Children roll eggs on the lawn as President Barack Obama and the first family hosted the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 25, 2011. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

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Children roll eggs on the lawn as President Barack Obama and the first family hosted the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 25, 2011. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

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Children roll eggs on the lawn as President Barack Obama and the first family hosted the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn April 25, 2011. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

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The President, First Lady and his daughters host the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 5, 2010, with the theme of "Ready, Set, Go!" promoting health and wellness. Garrett Hubbard, USA TODAY

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School teacher and daughter of President George W. Bush, Jenna Bush reads from 'Where the Wild Things Are' during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on March 24, 2008. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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First lady Laura Bush delivers opening remarks from a balcony at the start of the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 9, 2007 in Washington, D.C. The annual event was started by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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In this March 24, 2008 file photo, President Bush hugs

President George Bush hugs a person dressed as the Easter bunny at the start of the annual Easter Egg Roll, overlooking the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Gerald Herbert, AP

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In this April 21, 2003 file photo, wooden Easter eggs

Wooden Easter eggs with President Bush and Laura Bush's signatures are displayed at the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington. Ron Edmonds, Associated Press

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President Bush blows the whistle to start the annual

President George Bush blows the whistle to start the annual White House Easter Egg Roll as a young girl throws her egg on April 1, 2002. Doug Mills, Associated Press

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White House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, left, and chef Susie Morrison put the finishing touches on March 29, 2002, on the 45-pound Easter egg and replica of Barney, the president's dog, as they prepare for the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House . Ron Edmonds, Associated Press

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President Clinton poses with the Easter Bunny at the

President Bill Clinton poses with the Easter Bunny at the start of the annual Easter Egg Roll on April 13, 1998, at the White House. The White House chef has dyed 7,200 hard-boiled eggs for the annual traditional event that dates back to 1878. Greg Gibson, Associated Press

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With the Washington Monument in the background, White House visitors walk on the South Lawn during the White House Easter Egg Roll on March 31, 1997. Ron Edmonds, Associated Press

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President Bill Clinton handles the starting whistling and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton handles cheer leading chores during the annual Easter egg roll on the White House lawn in Washington, April 12, 1993. Ron Edmonds, Associated Press

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Vice President George H. Bush greeted by cartoon characters

Vice President George H. Bush is greeted by cartoon characters at the start of the annual Easter egg roll on April 8, 1985, in Washington. Associated Press

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In this April 20, 1981, file photo first lady Nancy

First lady Nancy Reagan leads a group of cartoon characters to the South Lawn of the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll. Barry Thumma, AP

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President Jimmy Carter holds his grandson, Jason Carter, 2, on his shoulders while visiting the South Lawn on April 11, 1977, site of the Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington. AP

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Tricia Nixon walks the White House grounds March 27,

Tricia Nixon walks the White House grounds on March 27, 1970 with circus clown Bobby Kay and the Easter Bunny. Henry Burroughs, AP

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Before going to the opening ball game, President Franklin

President Franklin Roosevelt appears on the portico of the White House on April 14, 1941, to wave to the thousands of children participating in the annual Easter egg roll. Associated Press

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First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, center, pauses to greet

Eleanor Roosevelt, center, pauses to greet 3-year-old Jean Doering of Washington at the start of the annual Easter Egg Rolling at the White House on April 13, 1936. AP

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First lady Grace Coolidge displays her pet raccoon Rebecca to children gathered on the White House grounds for Easter on April 18, 1927. National Archives

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Children dancing round the maypole at the White House in the 1920s. World War I and food rationing put the White House egg roll on hold, scrambling it from 1917-1920. World War II stopped the festivities again from 1943-1945. National Archives

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In the absence of President and Mrs. Harding April

In the absence of President Warren Harding and Mrs. Harding on April 2, 1923, the first family's pet airedale terrier, Laddie Boy, acted as host for the children who rolled eggs on the White House lawn. National Archives

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Children Easter egg rolling on the South Lawn of The

Children attend the egg rolling on the South Lawn in 1921. National Archives

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In 1889, eleven years after the Easter Egg Roll became

In 1889, 11 years after the Easter Egg Roll became a White House tradition, President Benjamin Harrison adds music. The United States Marine Band plays as children romp on the South Lawn. National Archives

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