When the Easter Bunny first appeared at the White House Easter Egg Roll in 1969, Richard Nixon was U.S. president.
The tradition began during Nixon’s presidency, but the idea was initiated by First Lady Pat Nixon. A member of her staff wore a white rabbit costume and greeted children at the South Lawn event, creating the first official White House Easter Bunny appearance.
The Easter Egg Roll itself is much older. The first official White House Egg Roll was held in 1878 under President Rutherford B. Hayes, after children were barred from using the Capitol grounds for egg-rolling. The bunny character was added more than 90 years later.
A useful distinction is that Richard Nixon was the president, while Pat Nixon’s staff helped introduce the costumed bunny. The character is not a real animal or a presidential mascot; the role has traditionally been played by a White House staff member in costume.