Pool Reports of July 22, 2025

In-town Pool 1

Good morning! President of the Republic of the Philippines Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (aka Bongbong Marcos) arrived at the White House at 11:28 and was greeted by President Trump at the West Wing doors. Presidnet Trump waved to the press gathered.

Presidnet Trump responded to two shouted questions:

His message to the Philippines:
"We love them and we respect their leader."

Do you think you'll get a (trade) deal done today? (Actually directed at Marcos but Trump responded)
I" think we will"

In-town Pool 2

The press pool is gathering to enter the Oval at 11:33.

The event will be live streamed on the White House YouTube page so I'll send rough quotes and updates as they happen but please check against the recording.

In-town Pool 3

Pool entered the Oval at 11:37.

Trump began with remarks at 11:38.

In-town Pool 4

On the sofa next to President Trump is Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent and Pete Hegseth. Behind the sofa is Howard Lutnick, Jamieson Greer and Stephen Miller.

Trump began by announcing an investment from AstraZeneca, the drug manufacturer.

Marcos started remarks highlighting the relationship between the two countries. "It's something the Philippines will always hold close to its heart."

In-town Pool 5

Trump began taking questions at 11:42.

Asked if Trump would fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, he said he'll be out soon anyway and repeated that he calls him "too late" on lowering interest rates.

"We should be at 1 percent. We should be leading the world."

Scott Bessent adds he asked the fed to do an internal investigation on "mission creep" and the Fed needs to "stay in their lane."

In-town Pool 6

Trump says Chinese President Xi has invited him to China and it'll happen in the "not too distant" future.

Trump on Ghislaine Maxwell interview
"I don't know anything about it."
"I don't really follow that too much. It's sort of a witch hunt."
Changed the subject to DNI Gabbard's report on election rigging and Obama.
"It's time to go after people."
"It's criminal."

Follow up on Gabbard report:
"It should be Obama" who's targeted for criminal liability.

"From what Tulsi told me she has thousands of additional documents coming"

Trump also tied in Hillary Clinton and the Steele dossier, which he said was a "disaster" and "fraud."

Tangent on WSJ:
"It's got a nice name but it's a terrible paper" and is "corrupt"

"We caught Hillary Clinton, we caught Barack Hussein Obama... it's all there."

The answer then turned to the 2020 election and the number of immigrants who entered under Joe Biden.

"I did win that election."

In-town Pool 7

Trump on bilateral relationship:
"We're going to have a very good relationship."
"The country was maybe tilting toward China, but we're untitling it"

Trump "we're thinking" about no tax on capital gains on housing.

On Thomas crooks:
"They say they haven't found anything that was abnormal."
"They made a mistake. They should've had somebody in that roof."
"They say it was just a nut job."
"I wouldn't have believed the old FBI"
Says everyone should read the Horowitz report on former FBI director Comey
"That report shouldn't be lost"
"This is like proof that Obama was seditious, that Obama was trying to lead a coup"
Trump says it all relates to the atropine

On Adam Schiff
Trump says staying out of it but it's mortgage fraud

Adding that across from Trump is COS Wiles and spotted by the wall is Natalie Harp.

In-town Pool 8

On Harvard funding:
Says it's a very hostile judge
"It won't be very much" in the future

On Philippines trade deal:
"He's a tough negotiator"

On immigration:
"Why would they allow 21 million into our country?"
"I don't think it was Biden" it was the people around him
"Probably 25 million, probably even more than that"
"There's only two reasons: to vote ... and I think they hate our country"
"We have the strongest border of anyone in the world right now"
"We're getting them out and starting with the worst of them"

Press ushered out at 12:12pm.

In-town Pool 9

There's a lunch lid until 1:30pm.

In-town Pool 10

President Trump's and President Marcos's lunch has ended. President Marcos's two-car motorcade started to pull out at 1:25pm. At the West Wing exit, Trump was not with Marcos, who did not respond to shouted questions.

In-town Pool 11

President Trump posted a readout of the bilateral meeting on Truth Social:

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114898069194751986

"President Ferdinand Marcos, of the Philippines, is just leaving the White House, with all of his many Representatives. It was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs. The Philippines will pay a 19% Tariff. In addition, we will work together Militarily. It was a Great Honor to be with the President. He is Highly Respected in his Country, as he should be. He is also a very good, and tough, negotiator. We extend our warmest regards to the wonderful people of The Philippines!"

In-town Pool 12

Karole Leavitt briefly gaggled at the sticks, taking three questions:

https://otter.ai/u/8bdYMA-eAgh2IFjT-9vqrvoiJhM?utm_source=copy_url

When will there be an overturn of pardons signed by the autopen?
"I don't have any information about the pardons... the White House Counsel's Office is investigating the potential abuse of the auto pen from the previous administration."

Does the White House support Speaker Johnson ending the House's week early over the Epstein vote?
"I'm not sure if anyone here spoke to the speaker about that."

More information on hostage releases?
"...he wants to see the release of all of the hostages, and that includes the remains of the hostages who unfortunately lost their lives while being held hostage in Gaza."

In-town Pool 13

Pool is gathering at the Palm Room doors at 7:14pm for a reception with Congressional Republicans.

In-town Pool 14

Pool has entered the East Room at about 7:18.

The room is packed with a mixture of standing room and tables at the back, and it appears white and sparkling wine are being served.

There are numerous GOP House members in the room. Your pooler has asked the White House for a full guest list (to avoiding accidentally excluding people).

In-town Pool 15

We have a two minute warning for Presidnet Trump.

Also spotted amongst the members are cabinet members Doug Burgum, Tulsi Gabbard, Russ Vought, Doug Collins, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin and Kelly Leoffler. (Hat tip CBS's Ed O'Keefe for the help identifying people). James Braid, of the WH office of legislative affairs, is also mingling.

The event is being live streamed so I'll be sparring on quotes.

In-town Pool 16

President Trump entered the East Room at 7:45. (A fast two minutes)

In-town Pool 17

Trump talked about calling members to support the Big Beautiful Bill, including at 4am.

"Some were difficult but you got there."

"The results of what we do together will give us a tremendous midterm"

"We'll make all those robocalls for you"

Speaker Mike Johnson got a round of applause.
Trump says he'll go down as "one of the greatest speakers in history."

Trump said of Steve Scalise "I think you look better now than you did then" referring to visiting him in the hospital during his recovery.

Trump also said he's making progress on trade deals with Japan.

Trump called out Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent and Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick (though your pooler couldn't see them). James Blair, WH deputy chief of staff, also spotted.

HUD Sec. Scott Turner is now leading a prayer.

In-town Pool 18

Continuing Trump's remarks:
Trump called Tulsi "the hottest person in the room right now" and praised her document disclosure on Obama and people "who cheated."

Following a similar pattern from the Oval this morning, Trump moves from Gabbard's document report to immigration under Biden's tenure:
"This should have never happened. It was a terrible unforced error.... From all over the world, they came."

Then Trump highlighted his low border crossing numbers.

Trump praised bills passed, first the BBB, the Leon Riley Act and the Take it Down Act.

Trump said he wants to stop the fentanyl-related tariffs because he's working with those countries to stop the drug trade. "We're taking in millions and billions ... we want them to stop."

On the new Japan deal:
"Those great representatives of Japan that some of you got to see in action are smart and sharp. They said look you're the hottest country in the world."

On Fed Chair:
"He's hurting people who can't get houses.... He's either evil or stupid."

Trump said that all prices are down with a tangent on food costs and oil prices.

On drug prices:
Trump said he was proud to get drug prices down in his first term.
Then tells a story about a friend on ozempic, which he said is called the "fat drug," and the cost difference to buy it in London versus New York.
"We will pay the same price as the lowest nation of any where in the world... Now in the world they'll go up a little bit..."
"It'll be serious numbers that no one can even imagine."
"Not 30 or 40 or 50 percent but the numbers the likes of which you've never seen before" referring the coming decrease.
If countries don't agree to pay more... "I'll say that's okay you'll no longer be able to sell cars in America."
"And you can win your election, I don't care what part of the country you come from"

On Japan:
"I was sitting here screaming back and forth with Japan and someone said could you imagine Biden doing this..."

On Dems:
"They want to do anything to take us off the subject of Make America Great Again"
"Don't let them forget: Obama cheated on the election ... and his people cheated and he was there."

On Rs:
"...I particularly like the ones I didn't have to speak to at all" to get their vote. This line received a big applause.

In-town Pool 19

Continuing the event:
Speaker Mike Johnson takes the stage at 8:28.
"America first is no longer just an agenda it's the law of the land."

Trump walks off stage at 8:30pm.

In-town Pool 20

Though the room is mostly clearing out, Trump is shaking some members hands and having conversations out of earshot of the pool.

In-town Pool 21

"The deal for Japan is great" Trump shouted to the press after his impromptu photo line, exiting the East Room at 8:46.

In-town pool 22 - lid

We have a travel/photo lid at 9pm

In-town pool 23 - correction

Flagging a correction from Pool report 18, Trump talked about the Laken Riley Act, not the autocorrected Leon Riley. My apologies!

Foreign Pool Report #1: Background on President Marcos' Visit

Good morning, Mabuhay,

I'm your foreign pooler for today's official visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Republic of the Philippines to the White House.

President Marcos Jr. is the first head of state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to visit the White House during President Trump's second term. As ASEAN chair in 2026, President Marcos Jr. is expected to invite President Trump to attend the East Asia Summit, according to Philippine Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Raquel Solano.

This visit also comes as the United States and the Philippines prepare to mark two major milestones next year: 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years of formal alliance.

Agenda

The Philippine Embassy told your pooler that today's meeting will focus on strengthening U.S.-Philippines economic and defense cooperation.

Before his departure, President Marcos Jr. told the media: "During this visit, we will reaffirm our commitment to fostering our long-standing alliances as an instrument of peace and a catalyst of development in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. My top priority for this visit is to push for greater economic engagement, particularly through trade and investment between the Philippines and the United States.

I intend to convey to President Trump and his Cabinet officials that the Philippines is ready to negotiate a bilateral trade deal that will ensure strong, mutually beneficial and future-oriented collaborations that only the United States and the Philippines will be able to take advantage of."

Full Remarks

Trade and Tariffs

On July 18, 2025, President Trump sent a letter to President Marcos Jr. announcing a 20% tariff on goods imported from the Philippines—a hike from the 17% announced earlier in April.

Last week, a delegation of Philippine trade officials arrived in Washington, D.C., to negotiate a bilateral or reciprocal trade agreement that both sides view as mutually beneficial.

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative:

• In 2024, the U.S. goods trade deficit with the Philippines was $4.9 billion—a 21.8% increase from 2023.
• Total goods trade between the two countries reached $23.5 billion.
• U.S. goods exports to the Philippines totaled $9.3 billion, while imports reached $14.2 billion.

Top U.S. exports to the Philippines include: agricultural goods, machinery, cereals, and materials for semiconductor and transport equipment manufacturing.

Top Philippine exports to the U.S. include: semiconductor devices, computer peripherals, auto parts, electric machinery, garments, coconut oil, and IT/business process outsourcing services. Defense Cooperation

Security and regional stability remain top priorities. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that today's discussions will include enhancing maritime security and deepening military cooperation, particularly amid continued tensions in the South China Sea.

During his July 20 meeting at the Pentagon, President Marcos Jr. stated: "I believe that our alliance—between the United States and the Philippines—has played a vital role in preserving peace and maintaining stability in the South China Sea, and indeed across the entire Indo-Pacific region."

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reaffirmed that the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) extends to armed attacks on either country's armed forces, aircraft, or public vessels—including Coast Guard vessels—anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.

Ahead of today's visit, the U.S. announced a new infrastructure project in Oyster Bay and Quezon, Palawan, where the U.S. Navy will help build maintenance and repair facilities for Philippine military ships. Palawan is a strategic location facing the South China Sea.

In March 2025, Secretary Hegseth made his first Indo-Pacific visit as defense chief, with Manila as his initial stop. He announced a four-part defense initiative based on the $500 million U.S. commitment to modernize the Philippine military. It includes:

• Deployment of advanced U.S. military assets
• Joint training for high-end operations
• Bilateral defense industrial cooperation
• A new U.S.-Philippines cybersecurity campaign

DFA officials say the two sides may also review the ongoing Balikatan joint military exercises and explore potential U.S. force posture enhancements in the region.

Schedule

President Marcos Jr. is in Washington, D.C. from July 20-22, 2025:

• July 20 (Afternoon): Arrival in Washington, D.C.
• July 21: Separate meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
• July 22 (Morning): Official visit to the White House, followed by a bilateral lunch
• July 22 (Afternoon): Wrap-up press briefing with the Philippine media delegation before departing for Manila

Previous Engagements

The Philippine Embassy confirmed to your pooler that President Marcos Jr. called President Trump to offer congratulations following his 2024 re-election victory. The two leaders also met briefly at Pope Francis's funeral in the Vatican in April 2025.

Today marks President Marcos Jr.'s second official White House visit since taking office in June 2022. His first was on May 1, 2023.

Bio

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., commonly known as "Bongbong" or BBM, is the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines, assuming office on June 30, 2022.

He was born on September 13, 1957, in Batac, Ilocos Norte. He is the son of Ferdinand E. Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for over two decades before being ousted during the People Power Revolution on February 25, 1986.

President Marcos made his first visit to the White House in 1982 during a state visit with his parents to President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan.

He attended La Salle Green Hills in the Philippines and Worth School in West Sussex, England, graduating in 1974. He earned a Special Diploma in Social Studies from Oxford University in 1978 and later enrolled in an MBA program at the Wharton School of Business, which he left in 1980 after being elected Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte.

The New York Times reported in 2023 that he enjoys watching Formula 1 racing and loves rock music, especially Eric Clapton and The Beatles.

Foreign Pool Report #2 Arrival of President Marcos Jr

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived at 11: 29a.m.

As his motorcade entered the White House grounds, honor guards representing different branches of the U.S. military lined both sides of the driveway to render ceremonial honors.

President Marcos Jr. wore a white Barong Tagalog—the national formal attire of the Philippines. He was greeted by President Trump upon arrival.

Marcos Jr. waved to reporters before proceeding inside, followed by members of the Philippine government delegation.

Philippine Delegation

• Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Department of Foreign Affairs
• Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Department of National Defense
• Secretary Cristina Roque, Department of Trade and Industry
• Eduardo Año, National Security Adviser
• Dave Gomez, Acting Secretary, Presidential Communications Office
• Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs
• Jose Manuel Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to the United States

Pool is now gathered for the Oval spray

Foreign Pool Report #3 Oval Meeting- President Marcos Jr

Pool entered the oval office around 11:38am, the two leaders were already seated. President Marcos Jr. spoke in English. (please make sure to check against the transcript)

He said in his opening remarks: We're all very happy to be here to, once again, reaffirm the very strong ties between the philippines and the united states. Ties that go back over 100 years, and considering the context in which we live these days, especially in my part of the world, this is evolved into as important a relationship as it's possible to have.

We must remember that the united states is our only treaty partner in the philippines and that has stood us in good stead over the years, certainly through the second world war.

And the cultural memory of all filipinos, even the school children, is that our strongest, closest, most reliable ally has always been the united states. That is something that we value that we are grateful for, and that we will continue to foster, as we go on. With the leadership of president trump, I am very confident that we will be able to achieve that. I think it is worthwhile to remember that it was the President Trump, who in his first term characterized the relationship between the philippines and the united states as ironclad. That has been necessarily the case since that time that you made that statement, sir. It is the one, it is something that the philippines will always hold close to its heart. Thank you once again. And I we are honored and it is our great pleasure to be here and to visit with the president of the university. Thank you so much my great honor.

On relations with the U.S. and China
When asked by your pooler that how Philippines will balance the relationship btw the U.S. and China as the rotating chair of ASEAN in 2026, President Marcos answered the following:
we are chairing ASEAN in 2026. There is no need, a in a sense to balance to a a few characterizes to balance our relationship within the united states and china, simply because our foreign policy is an independent one. We are essentially concerned with the defense of our territory and the exercise of our sovereign rights.

Now, whether we do this not alone, we need to do this with our partners. And again, our strongest partner has always been the united states, but we are trying to form coalitions and multilateral relations so that those like minded nations who share the same values as we do, who are hue to into international law, more specifically the own clause, present that position very clearly to anyone who has intentions of unilaterally changing the world order. And that is how we are guided in that.

On modernization of the Philippines military

All of the what we consider part of the modernization of the philippine military is really as a response to the circumstances that surround the situation around the south china sea. And now what we used to refer to the asia pacific, which we have expanded now to the Indo-pacific. And if we would certainly like any kind of military spending, we would wish that we did wasn't necessary, but it is. So that is what we are doing. And as an adjunct to the question about the ammunition of production, this is actually the united states is assisting the philippines in what we call our self reliance defense program, which is to allow us to be self reliant and to be able to stand our own two feet, whatever the circumstances that occur in the future.

And that the reason that we have encouraged more interaction with the united states is because, again, it is necessary, and it is not just for the united states. It is with all our neighboring countries and even countries as far afield as the scandinavian countries, the EU and so this is an ongoing process.

Again, I will stress the point that we do this, because we feel it is necessary.

The two leaders are having a bilateral lunch now, which is closed to the press. After visiting the White House, President Marcos Jr will conduct a wrap-up press briefing with the Philippine media delegation before departing for Manila this afternoon.