Pool Reports of June 4, 2025

Lunch lid

There is a lunch lid until 12:30

In-town pool report #2

Senators Thune, Crapo and Barrasso will be at the stake-out area in five minutes.

In-town pool report #3

Following a meeting with the president, Senators John Thune, John Barrasso and Mike Crapo came to the stakeout area. They carried neither surprises nor news of any breakthroughs. Thune called it "a very positive discussion about the path forward," adding that everybody is moving "in the same direction" and agrees "failure is not an option." Barrasso said they exited the meeting "committed to a safe and prosperous America and that's what this bill is about." He said they told the president that "the American people trust Republicans more than Democrats" on the economy. Crapo called it "a very robust and healthy discussion" and contended "we have very strong unity." He said any suggestion that the bill will increase deficits is "absolutely wrong."

On questions: Thune said "SALT always comes up." He indicated senators from low-tax states are much less interested in the issue than some House members. He said there is "a lot of passion" on the issue and "we'll work it out" because they have to have the votes in both chambers. But he called the SALT changes in the 2017 bill "one of the best reforms we had." Asked about Elon Musk's opposition, he said, "I couldn't speak to his reactions." To Musk's contention that the bill will increase the deficit, he said, "We believe the opposite." He said they reject Musk's advice to kill the bill. "We're a long ways down the track… We are moving forward." He said rescissions were only "touched upon" in the meeting.

In-town Pool Report #4

Pool is gathering for the summer soiree on the South Lawn.

In town pool report

The president spoke for 14 minutes. No news. Speech ended with chant of 8 more years. Quotes and color to follow.

In-town pool report 6

Summer Soiree and lid

Travel/photo lid at 7:32 p.m.

The president spoke for 14 minutes and 22 seconds and was back inside the White House by 7:12 p.m. He spoke from the Oval Portico off the Blue Room, with a simple lectern in front of him and single U.S. and presidential flags on each side. He wore a suit and a blue tie.

Below him were arrayed what looked to be about 3,000 people. Cabinet members and top aides were in the front closest to the White House while his other political appointees spread out as far as the South Lawn goes, past the fountain, until he started speaking when they raced to be closer. They were dressed in business attire, not picnic or casual clothes. Surprisingly, only two MAGA caps were spotted., tying cowboy hats for most popular headgear. Before he spoke, a nine-piece Navy band played such songs as "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" before giving way to the more formally attired Marine Band, which played Hail to the Chief at 6:57.

The president appeared in good spirits when he was greeted with a loud USA, USA chant. He joked about the people racing from the far reaches of the South Lawn. "They are running; don't fall. WE had an administration that fell a lot. We don't want that." He hailed the attendees as "Patriots" and boasted that no other president had held a soiree for his political appointees. "We're going to do it for four more years," adding to cheers, "Maybe eight more years." He then dipped into his familiar repertoire, speaking of how many swing states he won and declaring that "the whole world feels different." He then suggested that the event had drawn the most people ever to the South Lawn. "We love what we're doing; we love MAGA." He said he had almost forgotten about the event because he was dealing with "Iran, Russia, China – every other problem we were left."

He saluted the new White House interns, saying it was their first day and singled out one of them he said is golfer Jack Nicklaus' grandson. Then it was back to how the whole world "was laughing at us" six months ago. "They're not laughing anymore." Then a look back at the Middle East trip, the new enlistment numbers, the "fake news," Rasmussen's right track numbers, the "rigged election," and how things today are "bigger, better, stronger." He said Biden had "the most unsuccessful administration in the history of our country" but prices now are coming down. Back to his appointees, he said, "This is really a family. When I do good, you do good." Then touching on trade deficits, border crossings and general success. "We've achieved more in four months than most administrations achieve in four or eight years." He added, "There is greatness in this crowd." He wrapped up with praise for Susie Wiles, saying his Cabinet members are "scared of her."

When he concluded, the crowd loudly chanted "Eight more years; Eight more years."