US President Donald Trump broke with the 8-year tradition of his predecessor and elected not to participate in the White House Passover Seder on Monday night.
Barack Obama actually began holding Seders in 2008 during his presidential campaign. According to the Washington Post, Trump, like Obama before him, was the official host of the Seder. Unlike Obama, however, the current president did not attend, and neither did his Jewish daughter or son-in law.
Trump did send out a tweet that read, “Happy Passover to everyone celebrating in the United States of America, Israel, and around the world. #ChagSameach.”
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer did tweet a photograph of the official meal, though he did not provide an explanation for his boss’s absence. He simply wrote, “This evening, @WhiteHouse staff held a Passover Seder, marking first night of Passover.”
Ivanka Trump, like her father, also posted a tweet for the holiday, writing, “During #Passover, we reflect on the significance of the exodus from Egypt and celebrate the great freedoms we enjoy today! #ChagPesach.”