Bees swarm White House North Lawn weeks after Melania Trump adds colonies
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The White House got an unexpected thrill Friday as thousands of bees flocked to the North Lawn, weeks after First Lady Melania Trump added new bee colonies to the executive mansion grounds.
Multiple black dots, later identified as a swarm of bees, were spotted at the White House near the press corps’ Pebble Beach media area on the North Lawn.
About 20 minutes later, the bees flocked to a hive in a tree on the North Lawn of the White House.
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A swarm of bees was spotted on the exterior of the White House on Friday afternoon. (Edward Lawrence/Fox News Digital)
It’s unclear what caused the swarm, but just weeks ago the First Lady announced the addition of two new bee colonies to the two existing ones on the property.
He also unveiled a new replica of the White House beehive on the South Lawn.
It’s unclear whether the bees confused the historic mansion with their new, similarly styled home.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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First Lady Melania Trump unveils a new beehive in the vegetable garden on the South Lawn of the White House on April 24, 2026. (Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)
The hive was built by King Henry III of Britain. It came into the spotlight during Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit, when the royal couple, both long-time supporters of beekeeping, toured the newly expanded apiary with the Trumps on the South Lawns.
White House honey was also served at meals. state dinner.
Fox News Digital has previously reported that the colony expansion is expected to increase annual honey production by an estimated 30 pounds, allowing for even greater use in preparing White House kitchen meals, serving as official gifts from the president and first lady, and supporting charitable donations. healthy foods to local food cuisines.
The colony can grow to approximately 70,000 bees during the summer months and produce up to 225 pounds of honey per year.
The new White House hive, funded through the National Mall Foundation, supports existing colonies in pollinating vegetation in the nearby White House Kitchen Garden, Cutting Flower Garden and the National Mall.
After the incident, the bees were seen flying to a nearby tree. (Edward Lawrence/Fox News Digital)
The White House beekeeping program began in 2009, when White House carpenter Charlie Brandt began keeping bees as a hobby at the complex several years ago.
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The First Lady’s Office said the hobby has since become “a lasting tradition“
FOX Business White House correspondent Edward Lawrence contributed to this report.
