Pool Reports by Matt Viser, The Washington Post
| Sent: | Reports: |
| May 14, 2025 09:19 AST |
Travel pool report #1 / pull aside with Syria president Greetings from Riyadh, where the pool is currently holding in a large and elaborate ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton, preparing for a full day here and then in Doha. One of the intriguing elements this morning is a meeting that POTUS is scheduled to have with the Syrian president, which comes a day after the announcement that the US was lifting sanctions on Syria. It is unclear what visibility the pool will have of the engagement, with the WH advising: The President will do a pull aside with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa ahead of the GCC Summit this morning. The meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council is slated for 10am, so stay tuned. |
| May 14, 2025 10:19 AST |
Travel pool report #2 / Meeting with happening with al-Sharaa WH official confirms that POTUS meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has started and is ongoing. Pool is still holding ahead of GCC meeting, so we don't have visibility into the meeting. Will update as we learn more. |
| May 14, 2025 10:51 AST |
Travel pool report #3 / meeting with Syrian President wrapped and The meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara began at 10:07am, according to WH, and wrapped at 10:40am. Pool has repositioned to room where it seems GCC leaders will soon be appearing. We are in a large room with an ornate chandelier overhead. There are eight flags set up, with US and Saudi positioned in the middle. Off to the side have been several men with coffee. There's a bit of a dance ongoing for where Saudi and US media are being positioned to capture the moment. |
| May 14, 2025 11:07 AST |
Travel pool #4 / family photo POTUS entered the room at 11am with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, followed by other leaders. They all assembled in front of their flags. POTUS looked to his right, to the leader of Oma , and seemed to motion approvingly at a silver container around his waist that perhaps held a knife. POTUS did not respond to a shouted question about how his meeting went with the Syrian president, and the leaders left about a minute after they entered. The flags were positioned in this order, with leaders standing in front of flags. Kuwait We appear to be repositioning and there may be another spray. |
| May 14, 2025 11:32 AST |
Pool report #5 / GCC remarks We were brought into a room where GCC members were seated around a round table. POTUS was speaking when we arrived, and he referenced his meeting earlier with the Syrian president. He indicated that leaders from Saudi and Turkey were also included in the meeting, and referenced the US dropping sanctions and the applause it received last night. "I felt very strongly that this would give them a chance," he said. "Gives them a good, strong chance…it was my honor to do so. "We are currently exploring normalizing with Syria's new government," he said. Trump also said there's a "once in a generation opportunity" to forge a Lebanon that is peaceful and prosperous. "I've seen such progress," he said of the whole region. "The whole world is watching the Middle East." He criticized his predecessor, saying, "The Biden administration created bedlam by basically being incompetent." He said Biden "turned his back" on the region, and he would not. "He had no capability, no ability," he said. On Iran negotiations: "I want to do something if possible." On the release of Edan Alexander, the American hostage released by Hamas, he said "it was a very important." "We thought Edan was dead three weeks ago," he said. "It was a very good thing" that he is alive and free. At one point he went into election rally mode, boasting to them about the size of his election victory and taking 2,750 voting districts: "The whole map was red, red meaning Republican." Trump also kept complaining about what he calls the "rigged election" of 2020 and tells the Gulf leaders his 2024 victory was the most consequential in 129 years. Toward the end he motioned to reporters covering the event. "Look at the fake news," he said. "The whole world is taking about what you're doing." One note that the Saudis appeared to try to restrict CNN's Kaitlan Collins after she shouted a question at the earlier family photo. But Karoline Leavitt intervened and she was admitted. Also seated near POTUS were several US officials including Susie Wiles, Scott Bessent, Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, Howard Lutnick. Many thanks to copooler Jonathan Swan of NYT for assisting in the flurry. We left at 11:21, about 11 minute after entering, and are now heading to vans. Please check quotes, and here is my otter: https://otter.ai/u/NIeh02qUGiTck23WkDg4pl34lgQ |
| May 14, 2025 11:41 AST |
Pool report #6 / WH readout WH passes along this readout of POTUS meeting with al-Sharaa. Readout below from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: READOUT OF MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN, PRESIDENT ERDOGAN, AND PRESIDENT AHMAD AL-SHARAA Today, President Trump, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. President Erdogan of Turkey joined by phone. President Erdogan praised President Trump for lifting sanctions on Syria and committed to working alongside Saudi Arabia to encourage peace and prosperity in Syria. The Crown Prince also commended President Trump for his decision to lift the sanctions, calling it courageous. President Trump thanked President Erdogan and the Crown Prince for their friendship, and told President Al-Sharaa that he has a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country. President Trump encouraged President Al-Sharaa to do a great job for the Syrian people, and urged him to: 1. Sign onto the Abraham Accords with Israel President Al-Sharaa thanked President Trump, the Crown Prince, and President Erdogan for their efforts to put together the meeting, and recognized the significant opportunity presented by the Iranians leaving Syria, as well as shared U.S.-Syrian interests in countering terrorism and eliminating chemical weapons. President Al-Sharaa also affirmed his commitment to the 1974 disengagement with Israel. President Al-Sharaa concluded with his hope that Syria would serve as a critical link in facilitating trade between east and west, and invited American companies to invest in Syrian oil and gas. The Russia-Ukraine war and the war in Gaza was also discussed. |
| May 14, 2025 12:01 AST |
Pool report #7 / rolling to airport Motorcade rolling to the airport at 11:59am. Also to clarify from the family photo pool report, an astute reader notes that the leader of Oman is not at the forum. Other Omani officials and royals are here and POTUS appeared to be standing next to the head of the Omani delegation, Asad bin Tariq, deputy prime minister of Oman. The silver piece that POTUS seemed to be noting is called a khanjar, a traditional dagger worn by Omanis for formal occasions. |
| May 14, 2025 12:46 AST |
Pool report #8 / airport Motorcade ride was uneventful, with roads closed off and police officers standing at attention outside their vehicles and facing away from the traffic. Portions of the roads were lined with US and Saudi flags. We arrived at King Khalid International Airport at 12:41pm. Did not see POTUS go up the stairs, arriving just in time to see workers rolling up the lavender carpet and pushing stairs to the side. Engines are roaring and we have boarded AF1. Should be wheels up shortly. The WH also sent along a series of statements from business leaders praising the trip to Saudi Arabia and deals that were secured during it. Passing those along here: Saudi Arabia: DataVolt CEO Rajit Nanda: "This partnership was made possible in large part due to the enabling technology and trade frameworks advanced during the Trump Administration—policies that championed high-tech exports, strengthened U.S.-Saudi strategic ties, which have empowered entrepreneurial collaboration in the digital era." Oracle CEO Safra Catz: "Thanks to the decisive actions and strong leadership of President Trump and his administration, Oracle is providing the world's most advanced cloud and AI technology to Saudi Arabia. Our expanded partnership with the Kingdom will create new opportunities for its economy, deliver better health outcomes for its people, and fortify its alliance with the United States, which will create a ripple effect of peace and prosperity across the Middle East and around the world." GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik: "As the world's energy equipment manufacturer, GE Vernova is proud to deploy world class technology to help deepen the longstanding relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, advance energy security, and strengthen the economic prosperity and competitiveness of both nations. We are thankful for the leadership of both governments for putting energy manufacturing, innovation, and technology front and center, setting the strongest possible precedent for the role of equipment to unlock more solutions globally. We are committed to continuing our work to grow capacity and jobs in the U.S. and beyond to meet these critical needs." Shamekh SIV Solutions, LLC Chairman and Founder Stephen Shaya, M.D.: "We extend our profound gratitude to President Trump, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Administrations of the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and our future partner Alturki Holding for their unwavering support and shared vision in making this endeavor possible. The Trump Administration's policies and engagements have shown leadership and laid the groundwork for international partnerships and investment opportunities. As we embark on this transformative journey, we are committed to generating employment, stimulating industrial growth, and contributing to the development of a robust pharmaceutical industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. Together with our esteemed partners, we are fortifying global competitiveness and positioning ourselves as leaders in the healthcare sector. This venture represents a monumental leap forward in our mission to deliver innovative healthcare solutions. By leveraging advanced technologies and fostering international collaborations, we aim to set new standards in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research, ultimately improving patient outcomes worldwide." Saudi Excellence Co. Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Zaid Al-Meleihi on the Energy Investment Fund:"This vehicle represents more than capital—it is a bridge of trust and ambition between two great nations. We are proud to recognize the legacy of President Trump, which positioned the United States as a magnet for innovation and opportunity and elevated the conditions necessary for meaningful bilateral engagement." New Era Fund and New Vista Capital General Partners Adam Kaplan and Kirsten Bartok Touw, along with Saudi Excellence Co. Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Zaid Al Meleihi: "We extend our gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for their exceptional leadership and support in making this initiative possible. The launch of the New Era Fund reflects a shared vision of investing in industrial capability and innovation to build a stronger and more resilient future together." Palantir Co-Founder and CEO Alex Karp: "This historic visit builds on decades of strategic cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Palantir is proud to play a role in forging the next generation of that alliance by enhancing U.S.-Saudi cooperation on AI and defense." Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet: "At Lockheed Martin, we build the world's best air defense systems, powerful radars, and most lethal fighter aircraft and we thank President Trump for including us in this groundbreaking defense partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We look forward to working with his administration to support a pathway to fifth generation air dominance capabilities while further strengthening the Kingdom's defenses against air and missile threats." L3Harris Chair and CEO Christopher E. Kubasik: "L3Harris was proud to enter a defense-focused joint venture with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) in 2019 under the first Trump administration, and today's agreement represents another significant step forward in our collaboration in the Kingdom. We look forward to expanding our partnership in communications; datalinks; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to protect the joint security interests of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia." Northrop Grumman Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer Kathy Warden: "Further building on our longstanding partnerships with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Northrop Grumman is committed to delivering proven defense capabilities to meet the Kingdom's most urgent and complex needs. By expanding our collaboration, Northrop Grumman and the Kingdom will strengthen our ability to deter aggression, create and sustain high-tech jobs in the U.S. and support Saudi Arabia's growing sovereign defense industry." |
| May 14, 2025 14:15 AST |
Pool report #9 / arrival and AF1 gaggle Wheels down at 2:12pm. POTUS came back to the press cabin during the first part of the flight for a gaggle that lasted about 10 minutes. He mentioned that we would receive military escorts and later in the flight four Qatari fighter jets appeared on the right side of AF1, and it appeared a similar number on the left hand side. Here are the highlights from the gaggle, with a major assist from co-pooler Jonathan Swan: Meeting with Syrian president went "great," saying he is a "young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter." "He's got a real shot at holding it together. I spoke with President Erdogan, who is very friendly with him. He feels she's got a shot of doing a good job. It's a torn up country." He said he thought Syria would join the Abraham Accords at some point. "I think they have to get themselves straightened up. I told him, 'I hope you're going to join when it's straightened out.' He said, 'Yes.' But they have a lot of work to do." A pooler asked Trump whether there was any conversation about a potential Trump Tower in Damascus. "No, that I haven't heard. We'll have to wait a little while until things calm down, a little while with the country." "I think he's got the potential to do — he's a real leader. He led a charge and he's pretty amazing." He said he didn't discuss LIV golf and a deal with the PGA during his talks with the crown prince. They also didn't discuss the 9/11families who want the Saudi intelligence agent to be extradited to the US. "I know all about it. But it didn't come up." He said Putin wants him to attend meetings in Turkey, and suggested he could still be open to it: "I don't know if he's showing up. I know he would like me to be there. And that's a possibility…I've been thinking about that. Now tomorrow, we're all booked out, you understand that. We're going to UAE tomorrow. So we have a very full situation. Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't do it to save a lot of lives and come back. But yeah, I've been thinking about it. I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there. We're going to find out. Marco's going and Marco's been very effective." Asked how Putin was handling things he said: "I don't know. I'll let you know in a week. I'll let you know in a few days." He was also asked how an Emirati government backed firm doing a $2 billion deal using the Trump family company's digital coin, and said he knew nothing about it. "I don't know anything about it. I really don't know anything about it. But I'm a big crypto fan, I will tell you." He said if the US doesn't lead in crypto and AI then China will. He said that his trip does not sideline Israel. "This is good for Israel, having a relationship like I have with these countries; Middle Eastern countries, essentially all of them. I think it's very good for Israel." On the hostage deal, he was asked what credit if any Israel deserves: "they're fighting a long time, they're warring, and I think they deserve a lot of credit, maybe the most credit. He wouldn't be there if it weren't for us, he wouldn't be living right now, probably none of the hostages would be living right now. You probably have 20 that are living that were getting out step by step. You know we've gotten a lot of them out." "The 24 that are living is now down to 20," he added. "And we got Edan out. It's great. And his family is so thankful. We did a good job with him and we'll continue to." He said his team had been in touch with Israel about his decision to lift sanctions on Syria. "I mean, we told them we're doing it. The reason I did it, and I think it's been very popular, certainly in the Middle East." He said he talked to Erdogan and MBS who "thought it was important you do. It gives them a much better chance of survival as a country." He was also asked about Chuck Schumer saying that he would block Trump political nominees until there are more answers on the Qatari plane. "Schumer, you know, he's become a Palestinian. There's something wrong with him. You know, I've known him a long time and there's something wrong. He's lost his confidence, totally. There's just something wrong. I don't know what it is with Schumer." Asked if he's considering secondary sanctions on Iran oil exports: "let's see what happens over the next week. I don't really want to answer it because I want to see what happens over the next week." Asked about sanctions on Russia for supporting Iran and continuing the war in Ukraine: "well, again, I don't want to talk about it. But I'm always considering the secondary sanctions on Iran and drove them into bankruptcy. And there would have been no October 7, there would've been no money for Hamas or Hezbollah or anybody else. So I'm always…as you know I put secondary sanctions on Iran again. But hopefully they're going to make the right decision because something's going to happen one way or the other. Very simple. It's going to happen one way or the other. They can't have a nuclear weapon. So we'll either do it friendly or we'll do it very unfriendly and that won't be pleasant." |
| May 14, 2025 14:28 AST |
Pool report #10 / rolling The carpet was rolled out here, this one red. POTUS emerged and pumped his fist before walking down the steps. Greeters on arrival at Hamad International Airport, according to WH
We are rolling at 2:25pm. |
| May 14, 2025 14:45 AST |
Pool report #11 / arrival at Amiri Diwan and gaggle otter Motorcade rode through empty streets, with USA and Qatar flags lining most of the streets. We passed Lusail Stadium in the air and Stadium 974 on the ground, two of those built for the World Cup held here in 2022. Streets as we approached we passed boats in the water with USA and Qatar flags as sails. Also some horses and camels. Arrived at 2:37pm at Amiri Diwan, the administrative offices of the emir, and have rushed inside where there is set to be an arrival ceremony. Several dozen men are set in formation holding riffles and a trio of men standing in front with swords. A red rug seems to await the leaders, with US and Qatar flags on each side. Sound quality may not be ideal but here is my otter from the AF1 gaggle: https://otter.ai/u/ojV5rg4JR1eehvkkxDcHWfLpXLQ |
| May 14, 2025 15:16 AST |
Pool report #12 / arrival ceremony The Beast pulled up at 2:48pm, and POTUS emerged and was escorted into an atrium with lots of white marble by His Highness Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani - Amir of the State of Qatar The military officers were called into formation and and band played the Star Spangled Banner. POTUS stood on a red rug in a salute. One of the officers then came and displayed his sword and then marched toward the other officers as POTUS and the Emir followed behind. They walked to another ceremonial room, the smell of incense in the air. Pool came in as they were both seated and the emir was speaking about investments and cooperation. "We are very excited," the Emir said, saying He mentioned the US hosting the World Cup ("football. As you guys call it, soccer") and how they hosted it previously. "There wasn't one incident here," he said of their event in 2022. "You did a great job," Trump responded. "We've liked each other and worked with each other," Trump said. "And now we can work in the highest capacity." He said he appreciated their cooperation, including with Russia and Ukraine. "We'll bring peace, not only here, but I know you're very much involved in helping us in other regions like what's happening with Russia-Ukraine etcetera. And I think we're having some pretty good news coming out of there today and maybe tomorrow and maybe Friday frankly. But we'll see about that." He paused and looked around, marveling at the architecture. "The job you've done is second to none. You look at this, it's so beautiful. As a construction person, I'm seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto." He also remarked about the camels he saw upon arrival. "We appreciate those camels. I haven't seen camels like that in a long time. And it was some greeting, we appreciate it very much." Pool was escorted out after their brief opening remarks, and moved to a room on the other side of the building to is set up wit a desk at the front for a signing ceremony and cushy chairs around the room for the delegations. Here's a list of participants here, provided by the WH: U.S. Delegation:
Note Taker:
Qatar Delegation:
Bilateral Meeting Participants:
U.S. Delegation:
Note Taker:
Qatar Delegation:
Signing Ceremony Participants:
U.S. Delegation:
Qatar Delegation:
|
| May 14, 2025 17:16 AST |
Pool report #13 / signing of agreements POTUS and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani walked into the room at 4:59pm and immediately went to sit at a desk in the front of the room to sign several agreements. The first was "in the field of aviation" and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg came up and signed a deal with Qatar Airways. Trump said it was for 160 jets (although asked aloud whether it was 140 or 160 before seeming to settle on 160). "Get those planes out there. Get them out there," POTUS said. There was also a defense agreement and a joint declaration (sorry don't have full details at the moment) "I think after signing these documents, we are going to another level of relationship between Qatar and the United States," the Qatari leader said. "So I just wanted to thank you, Mr. President, for this historic visit." Trump said they discussed Ukraine-Russia, Iran, and trade. He compared the emir to the crown prince as both "tall, handsome guys that happen to be very smart." Pool had been holding for some time in a brightly-lit large room where the signing ceremony was set to take place. There were giant windows, curtains pulled aside, and a few panes of stained glass. Steve Witkoff arrived in the room shortly before the ceremony began. Cabinet officials present included Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, Pete Hegseth, and Howard Lutnick. Several senior officials were also in the room, including Susie Wiles, Stephen Miller, Sergio Gor, Karoline Leavitt. Just after it ended we rushed to the vans and motorcade rolling at 5:14pm. |
| May 14, 2025 17:28 AST |
Pool report #14 / arrival at RON Brief motorcade along the water with views of the Doha skyline and setting sun. Streets were closed with not much visible activity or onlookers as the motorcade passed. We arrived at the RON at 5:25pm. Schedule indicates pool will be holding here until a scheduled departure around 7:45pm to go to Lusail Palace for a State Dinner. |
| May 14, 2025 19:53 AST |
Pool report #15 / rolling to palace Motorcade as of 7:51pm is rolling to Lusail Palace for the Qatari State Dinner. |
| May 14, 2025 20:16 AST |
Pool report #16 / palace arrival Motorcade passed buildings lit up in red and white, and one that had the American flag lit onto the whole building. It also passed right by a brightly-lit Lusail Stadium, built for the 2022 World Cup and where the final featured an epic match in which Argentina defeated France on penalty kicks to secure Lionel Messi's place as the greatest of all time. Leading into Lusail Palace was a drive lined with palm trees and US and Qatari flags, with about two dozen camels grouped all together, and then horses spread out along the driveway. We pulled up to a drive at 8:14pm. More details TK. |
| May 14, 2025 21:06 AST |
Pool report #17 / Palace entrance and receiving line Upon arrival, pool was rushed to an area of the palace where it appeared Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife had just greeted POTUS. They were in a large atrium, more of the marble that POTUS has raved about several times today. Drumming music and singing could be heard from outside, and a smell of incense filled the room inside. A massive chandelier hangs over them. At one point POTUS paused and looked over at the pool, spreading his arms out. "Nice house! Nice house!" he said. He and the Qatari leader then walked over and stood on a red rug together and a long line formed off to the side, a receiving line that stretched into a hallway. There was a large collection of men dressed in traditional dress of the country but there are also a number of notables in western suits, identified with help from eagle-eyed co-pooler Jonathan Swan. Among them is Chris Ruddy, the founder of Newsmax; Antonio Gracias, one of Elon Musk's closest friends; and Piers Morgan. The Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg was also spotted, as well as Fox News anchor Bret Baier and Patrick Soon-Shiong, the medical investor and Los Angeles Times owner. Elon Musk arrived more than 30 minutes in, doing a chat and cut to get toward the front of the line. Steve Schwarzman, the CEO of Blackstone, appeared to arrive with Musk. Steve Witkoff, Stephen Miller, Pete Hegseth, Scott Bessent also went through the line, along with other White House officials: Susie Wiles, James Blair, Karoline Leavitt, and Margo Martin. The receiving line has been going on for more than 45 minutes and hasn't yet wrapped. Will pass along more notables if we spot, align with more detail on the dinner when it comes. |
| May 14, 2025 21:20 AST |
Pool report #18 / more receiving line Toward the end of the receiving line another notable: Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, which brought the World Cup to Qatar in 2022 and awarded it to the United States for 2026. The receiving line ended at 9:16pm, nearly an hour after it began. "Thank you very much everybody," POTUS said to the pool from the other side of the room, before leaving. We are now moving to a holding area. In addition to the list of those the pool has spotted here is a list of attendees from the WH (some overlap with those we have identified, and we spotted some who are not on here) State Dinner Participants:
U.S. Delegation:
Qatar Delegation:
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| May 14, 2025 22:12 AST |
Pool report #19 / dinner and remarks Pool was brought into the dinner as the Emir was speaking and offering introductory remarks. Both he and POTUS spoke as guests sat and listened. Perhaps newsiest moment came with POTUS comments about Iran, saying there were two courses to take. "The non-friendly is a violent course and I don't want that… They have to get moving. They have to make that decision. It's their decision." He appealed to Qatar's help. "I hope you can help me with the Iran situation," he said. "It's a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing. We want to do it something that's going to save maybe millions of lives. Because things like that get started and they get out of control. I've seen it over and over again. They go to war and things get out of control, and we're not going to let that happen." The Emir has done his homework to appeal to Trump: talking up his massive investments in the U.S., mentioning his country's trade deficit and saying Qatar likes to "drill baby drill" - a Trump campaign slogan. "Our newly announced projects and investment will amount to $1.2 trillion and these days, I'm so grateful for the trade deficit we have with you, because the surplus swings in your favor. That's also why Scott Bessent is chill." The Emir tells Trump he worried for him during the election, when he was shot in Butler, Pa: "I prayed for your recovery and your safety." He also made an impassioned pitch to Trump to use American "leverage" to bring about peace in Gaza and end the killing of innocents. He also commended Trump for choosing "loyal" staff: "loyal to your country and loyal to your cause." "For all of us in the room, this stop was no mystery," he said. "Yes, the United States is a superpower, boosting the largest economy and military force in history. Meanwhile, Qatar is one of the smallest countries with one of the smallest population, and as the Americans in the room know, DC is almost 7000 miles away from here, but my friends, small nations have their own superpowers, resilience, nimbleness — and we are a powerful agent for peace precisely because of our size." Sitting at the head table, behind a row of candles, with President Trump and the Emir: Elon Musk, Scott Bessent, Steve Schwarzman. The room had long tables with white tablecloth, with many bouquets of purple flowers. Each person had a plate setting with two drinks in front of them, and a menu we are venturing to get more details about. When the emir finished a group of five musicians played wooden instruments in a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Trump spoke next. "This is a home. This is a serious home," Trump said, saying he'd never seen anything like it. "It's just a perfect evening," he said. He paused and singled out chief of staff Susie Wiles for praise, and wished her a happy birthday as the room applauded. "Your country now stands as a hub a global commerce, acts as a key diplomatic force on the world stage, and has even hosted the World Cup. People said, Oh, the World Cup," Trump said. He called out to the FIFA president sitting nearby. "He's coming to the United States. Great job you do Gianni." He referred the military escort he received earlier in the day, with fighter jets flying close to Air Force One: "It's a little disconcerting…you look out and you can read the pilots name on his helmet. But they were great." He again bragged about his election win, and the counties he won, and touted his record in the first few months back in office. He concluded with remarks about unity between the two counties. After he concluded, the musicians played the Qatar national anthem and then pool was escorted out. Attaching my otter here: https://otter.ai/u/IdAY6szUk3hkKv3jGfKoW-rRIsw |
| May 14, 2025 | [APP Note: Report #20 does not exist or was not received by the APP.] |
| May 14, 2025 23:43 AST |
Pool report #21 / RON arrival and lid Uneventful motorcade back to RON, where we arrived at 11:33pm. A lid was called at 11:41pm. Thanks for following along on a busy day with multiple movements in two countries. And a particular thanks to co-pilot Jonathan Swan and to all colleagues in the pool for good vibes and good work. |
Donald J. Trump (2nd Term), Pool Reports of May 14, 2025 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/377576