Reporters faced an unexpected sight at the White House on Friday: a large swarm of bees. NewsNation reporter Kellie Meyers noted the bees were blocking the driveway. She decided to turn around.
Fox News reporter Alexandria Hoff shared a video of the "huge swarm" on the North Lawn driveway. A voice in her video called it a "bee tornado."
Freelance journalist Andrew Leyden also captured photos and videos of the swarm. He showed the White House press corps dodging the bees. Fox Business reporter Edward Lawrence estimated there were "thousands" of bees.
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Start Your News DetoxWhite House Beekeeping
Honeybees have lived on the White House grounds since 2009. That year, White House carpenter Charlie Brandt started a beekeeping program. Last month, First Lady Melania Trump unveiled a new beehive. It was shaped like a miniature White House.
What is this, a White House for bees? Actually, yes. Image: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
The bee swarm quickly became a topic of jokes online. CBS reporter Kathryn Watson referenced Melania Trump's "Be Best" campaign. Others joked about the swarm being a bad omen. Andrew Egger of The Bulwark quipped about the Potomac River turning to blood.
Understanding Bee Swarms
Some reports called the bees "angry" or "attacking." However, honeybee swarms are not aggressive. Swarms happen when a colony grows a new queen. The old queen then leaves with some worker bees to find a new home.
Entomologist Tim Gibb explained in 2022 that swarming is a natural way for bees to reproduce. He noted that swarming bees are usually not threatening. However, bees may still sting if they are provoked.
