Pool Reports of July 23, 2025

In-town pool report #1: lunch lid

The White House press office has called a lunch lid until 12:30 p.m.

In-town pool report #2: gather for departure to AI event

Pool is gathering for the president's departure to the AI summit at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.

In-town pool report 3: departure

Motorcade is rolling for the short drive to the AI summit at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Pool spotted POTUS enter the limo with unidentified guests.

In-town pool report #4: arrival at Mellon Auditorium

Motorcade arrived at Mellon Auditorium at 4:47 pm.

In-town pool report #5: POTUS begins speaking

POTUS arrived on stage at the AI Summit at the Mellon Auditorium at 5:20 to God Bless the USA.

The event, hosted by the All-In podcast and the Hill & Valley Forum, is streaming live on CSPAN.

The stage is set up with a lectern and executive order signing desk, both with the presidential seal, and flanked by signs that read "Winning the AI Race."

The crowd listened to music before POTUS arrived that included some of his rally standards: Hallelujah, I Get Around, Thriller, A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On and Burning Love.

Among those spotted in the crowd from the pool's perch in the balcony was Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Pool has asked the press office for a list of VIPs.

In-town pool report #6: POTUS concludes remarks

POTUS concluded his remarks at 6:14, receiving a standing ovation before moving to a desk to sign three AI executive orders.

He opened his speech by touting the trade deal with Japan and talking about negotiations with the European Union. He said the US is "in the process" of concluding a deal with China and collecting billions of dollars in tariffs.

POTUS gave shout outs to his AI czar David Sacks, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, SBA Adminstrator Kelly Loeffler, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Senator Ted Cruz, and industry leaders like Jensen Huang CEO of Nvidia and Lisa Su CEO of AMD.

POTUS began speaking about AI at 5:38 pm. (Please check quotes against the video). "America is the country that started the AI race and as president of the United States I'm here to say we're gong to win it," he said.

POTUS said the US is leading China on AI "very substantially." Part of AI is allowing the technology to gain knowledge from books and other content. He also said there needs to be a "one common sense federal standard" on AI and not separate state laws, a point that drew applause.

Of AI he said, "It's a beautiful baby that's born. We have to grow that baby and let that baby thrive."

He said that for too long the US tech industry's had pursued a policy of "radical globalism." Those days are over and the companies need to put America First.

The new AI strategy involves construction of new facilities and power plants. POTUS touted the 100% expensing in the reconciliation bill. He dropped a quick reference to the "Russia Russia Russia" scam as a tangent in referencing what he called the "green new scam" and talking about more use of "clean beautiful coal." He said one of his executive orders today will fast track AI infrastructure.

The second pillar of his AI policy is an executive order to facilitate the export of AI technology with "necessary national security protections."

And the third pillar involves "getting rid of woke" in AI, and DEI policies for the industry. The government will be prohibited from buying AI technology infused with woke ideology. He diverted into a discussion of men competing in women sports and said Democrats would have weaponized AI.

He regaled past American inventions and said AI would be the next.

In-town pool report #7: Departure from Mellon

Motorcade departed the Mellon Auditorium at 6:21 pm.

In-town pol report #8: White House arrival

The motorcade arrived back at the White House at 6:23 pm.

in-town pool report #9: lid

The White House press office called a lid at 6:38 pm.. Earlier, upon arrival, Trump entered the White House with no opportunity for pool questions. Have a good night.