Pool Reports of July 13, 2025

Out of town pool note #1 - Bedminster

Good morning from a cloudy Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. 

Pool has been swept and is awaiting President Trump's departure for the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, to see Paris Saint-Germain battle Chelsea for the FIFA Club World Cup. It comes just over a year before the stadium is due to host the 2026 World Cup final. A win for PSG today would complete a landmark 'quadruple' for the French, majority-Qatari-owned club, who won this season's French league and cup double, plus the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. 

Waiting for weather call to see whether POTUS will lift or motorcade. Kick-off at the MetLife is at 3.00pm. Apologies in advance for any soccer/football confusion.

Out of town pool note #2 - Teterboro

Pool has now relocated to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, some two miles from the MetLife stadium. Marine One will lift to here from Bedminster. There are a lot of private jets. 

The motorcade is pre-set here. Don Jr. and girlfriend Bettina Anderson were spotted by an eagle-eyed co-pooler leaving one of the vehicles.

Out of town pool note #3 - Witkoff 'hopeful' on Gaza

Trump's Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff turned up to join the motorcade. He had a conversation with Don Jr on the airport tarmac for a few minutes. Both were in shirtsleeves as it's rather warm. 

Pool asked Witkoff to comment on the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. "Hopeful," said Witkoff. Asked to confirm reports that he will meet senior Qataris on the sidelines of the FIFA World Club Cup, he replied that 'I'll be meeting them' and nodded when asked if that meant today. He then got into his vehicle. 

(For those interested, Witkoff was wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilius watch, with a list price of $132,509, spotted by co-pooler Hugo Lowell. And thanks to co-pooler Link Lauren for initially spotting both Witkoff and Don Jr.)

Out of town pool note #4 - Witkoff and Kushner

Steve Witkoff was also seen talking on the tarmac for at least ten minutes to Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and an advisor on the Middle East in Trump's first term. 

When they noticed that the pool had seen them, they moved further away from our vans. 

Don Jr and Bettina Anderson then joined them, and they all embraced. Boris Epshteyn was next to join the group, followed by Tiffany Trump's husband Michael Boulos.

Out of town pool note #5 - M1 lands at Teterboro

Marine One was wheels down at Teterboro Airport at 2.16pm. The group of six including Witkoff, Don Jr and Kushner stood and watched on the tarmac as it landed. 

POTUS and FLOTUS stepped out of the chopper at 2.20pm. He was wearing a dark suit and red tie and she was wearing a white dress covered by a blue jacket, along with white-framed sunglasses. They got directly into the Beast. Pool was much too far away for questions. 

Motorcade now rolling.

Out of town pool note #6 - MetLife stadium

Motorcade arrived at the MetLife stadium at 2.28pm after a short drive through NJ suburbs. The NYC skyline was visible in the distance. Didn't lay eyes on POTUS. 

Pool could hear cheering as we were hurried inside. Stills were led off to capture POTUS for the National Anthem (we asked for print to be able to come but we weren't). He is up in a box about a third of the way up the stands, we're told. 

The rest of us are now pitchside, far from POTUS, where the atmosphere is pretty electric. Chelsea are warming up right in front of us and a pool member nearly took an errant ball to the head.

Out of town pool note #7 - Trump booed

Trump arrived in his box and waved to the crowd. Melania is to his right, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino on his left. There some FIFA fireworks and music on the pitch, and chants of 'come on Chelsea'

Trump and the stadium stood as the Star Spangled Banner was sung. When Trump briefly appeared on the jumbotron there were a few seconds of booing, at least at the end the pool was standing.

At the end there were fireworks and chants of USA, followed by a fly-over.

Out of town pool note #8 - Bondi and others in suite

Guests in Trump's suite included Pam Bondi, Sean Duffy, Kristi Noem, Tom Brady, and Rupert Murdoch, per our friends in the photo pool. 

Pool is seeking info on any and all interactions between POTUS and the Qataris. 

The score remains 0-0.

Out of town pool note #9 - 3-0 Chelsea

Pool was led back on to the sidelines of the pitch a few minutes before the final whistle blew on a sensational 3-0 win for Chelsea (and a post-whistle fight). 

POTUS was on his feet in the same VIP suite as before and could be seen (recognisable from a distance with his red tie) on his feet and pumping his fist as congratulatory music blared. He also applauded as Chelsea celebrated.

Out of town pool note #10 - POTUS booed again for trophy presentation

POTUS and FLOTUS moved out of the box at 5.27pm. 

POTUS and Infantino emerged on to the pitch at 5.42pm, appeared on the jumbotron, and were booed again. There was also some applause, whistling and cheering. The music in the stadium then drowned the boos. 

When the screens showed POTUS and Infantino on the stage to present the trophy, there was further booing. 

It happened a third time when the screens showed Trump and the match officials. 

Please check against broadcast coverage because pool can primarily hear what is happening at the end of the field where Chelsea supporters were gathered. 

More tk

Out of town pool report #11 - Trophy presentation

President Trump presented PSG players with their runner-up medals and shook hands, and then presented Chelsea with their winners' medals. 

Trump and Infantino then rather carefully lifted the trophy, consisting of concentric gold rings, from its mount and presented it to the Chelsea team. 

Trump stayed on stage with the players and clapped and smiled as team members lifted the trophy into the air, prompting large cheers. 

Some FIFA fireworks went off just as the pool was hurried out of the stadium (accompanied by PSG's goalkeeper). We are now holding in vans.

Out of town pool note #12 - Rolling from MetLife

Motorcade is now rolling away from the MetLife stadium. As we left, pool saw Don Jr walking the other way, back into the stadium car park.

Out of town pool note #13 - Newark

Motorcade arrived at Newark Airport at 6.20pm. POTUS was already on his way up the stairs of AF1 by the time pool dismounted, and he went straight inside. So, no gaggle on tarmac. 

We will be wheels up fairly shortly.

Out of town pool note #14 - JBA

AF1 was wheels down at JBA at 7.09pm. We had no visitors to the press cabin on the short flight

Out of town pool note #15 - JBA gaggle

POTUS gaggled on tarmac at JBA on Ukraine, Russia, Bongino and tariffs. Rough quotes pls check transcript 

Trump said would be sending Patriots to Ukraine but wouldn't say how many

"I'm gonna have a meeting with the (NATO) Secretary General who's coming in tomorrow.

But we basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military and they're gonna pay us 100% for them.

"We're going to send them Patriots, which they desperately need

"Because Putin really surprised a lot of people.

Uh, he talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening, but there's a little bit of a problem there. I don't like it."Gaza 

"Gaza, we are talking and hopefully we're going to get that straightened out over the next week."

Said he'd spoken Bongino and said that he was a good guy

Otter https://otter.ai/u/HrqGLj_x7aLdFo1HtBHjZ8UMeuw

More TK

Spoke to Bongino good guy

Out of town pool report #16 - M1 wheels up

M1 was wheels up for WH at 7.36pm. Will send more gaggle quotes shortly

Out of town pool note #17 - final gaggle quotes

A few more gaggle quotes:

On the football: "It was an upset today I guess but it was a great match."

Fuller quote when asked if his Russia announcement on Monday was about sanctions:
"We're gonna see what we will see tomorrow. 
"I am very disappointed with President Putin. I thought he was somebody that meant what he said. And he'll talk so beautifully and then he'll bomb people at night. We don't like that."

Fuller on Patriots: 
I haven't agreed on the number yet, but they're going to have some because they do need protection, but the European Union is paying for it.
We're not paying anything for it, but we will send it.
… we will send them Patriots which they desperately need."

On whether Bongino is still deputy FBI director: "Oh I think so. I did, I spoke to him today. Dan Bongino, very good guy. I've known him a long time. I've done his show many many times. He sounded terrific, actually. No, I think he's in good shape."

On his thoughts on Butler one year anniversary: "God was protecting me. Maybe because God wanted to see our country do better, or do really well. Make America great again."

Powell: "If Jerome Powell stepped down it would be a great thing. I don't know that he's going to but he should. Jerome Powell's been very bad for our country. We should have the lowest interest rate on earth, and we don't ... he should quit."

Rosie O'Donnell: "I don't know about Rosie. Rosie's a mess. She left our country, which is a good thing, not a bad thing."

Thanks again to co-pooler Hugo Lowell and the rest of the pool over the long weekend

in-town pool report #1 - gathering

The in-town pool is assembling for President Trump's arrival via Marine One on the South Lawn. More TK.

in-town pool report #2 — POTUS arrival/no questions

Marine One appeared on the horizon at 7:42 p.m. and was wheels down on the South Lawn three minutes later. President Trump emerged at 7:47 p.m. He pointed at the American flag he installed on the South Lawn with a smile and walked into the Residence at 7:48 p.m. He did not take questions.

in-town pool report #3 — lid

The White House called a travel/photo lid at 7:50 p.m. Enjoy your evening, folks.

Foreign Pool Report #1

FOREIGN POOL REPORT - POOL REPORT
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Time: 8:24 AM EDT
Pooler: Anthony Merchak, MTV LEBANON

Good morning, colleagues,

This is Anthony Merchak from MTV Lebanon, and I will be your foreign media pooler for today, Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Please find below the expected public schedule for President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for today, Sunday, July 13, 2025 (all times Eastern):

At approximately 1:40 PM ET, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are scheduled to depart Bedminster, New Jersey, en route to East Rutherford, NJ. This departure is closed to press.

At 2:30 PM ET, the President and First Lady are expected to arrive at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford to observe the FIFA Club World Cup Final Match.(Out-of-Town Travel Pool)

At 7:25 PM ET, the President is scheduled to depart East Rutherford via Marine One, returning to Washington, D.C.
(Out-of-Town Travel Pool)

At 8:30 PM ET, the President is expected to arrive at the White House. (Open Press)

Pool Call Times:
11:30 AM ET – Out-of-Town Travel Pool
7:30 PM ET – In-Town Pool

Pool Outlet Assignments:

In-Town Pool:
TV Correspondent & Crew: CNN
Secondary TV: Scripps
Photos: AP, AFP, NYT, Reuters, Getty
Print: CQ Roll Call
Radio: iHeartMedia
Secondary Print: American Spectator

Out-of-Town Travel Pool:
TV Correspondent & Crew: ABC
Secondary TV: RAV
Photos: AP, AFP, NYT, Reuters, Getty
Print: AFP
Radio: NPR
Secondary Print: The Guardian
New Media: Spot On with Link Lauren

I'll keep you posted with updates throughout the day. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.