Pool Reports by Emily Goodin, Daily Mail
| Sent: | Reports: |
| May 20, 2023 09:25 JST |
Travel pool report #1 - 2 minute warning to gaggle Good morning from Hiroshima, We have a two minute warning to Karine Jean-Pierre and Jake Sullivan gaggle. It's airing on White House Live: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/ |
| May 20, 2023 11:32 JST |
Travel pool #2 - Motorcade rolling Motorcade is rolling from the RON at 11:31 am (local time) for the Grand Prince Hotel, where the G7 summit is taking place. Pool did not see POTUS board the Beast but caught a brief glimpse of him in the back seat as it rolled by. POTUS has a series of meetings today including a bilat with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and a meeting with leaders of the Quad. More tk... |
| May 20, 2023 11:45 JST |
Travel pool #3 - Summit arrival Motorcade arrived at the Grand Prince Hotel at 11:44 am. Pool did not see POTUS on arrival. Restricted pool is moving to the staging area for the G7 family photo. From White House: Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the Grand Prince Hotel: Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs |
| May 20, 2023 11:55 JST |
Travel pool #4 - G7 family photo The family photo took place outside with Hiroshima Bay in the background. Gun boats were on duty in the water. Green mountains were visible in the background. The leaders entered at 11:50 am. POTUS stood between the German chancellor and the Japanese PM. A few leaders waved and commented how bright it was outside. President Macron gave a thumbs up. The flags of each G7 country were on each side of the backdrop. The leaders exited at 11:52 am. Note - the restricted pool raced by the Beast en route to the family photo location. POTUS was holding inside. |
| May 20, 2023 12:27 JST |
Travel pool #5 - POTUS lunch on economy From the White House: The President is participating in a working lunch on Economic Resilience and Economic Security. Attendees U.S. Delegation |
| May 20, 2023 13:18 JST |
Travel pool #6 - POTUS got debt negotiations update From the White House: At 10 AM local time this morning, President Biden received an update on the budget negotiations on Capitol Hill from his negotiating team. Following that meeting, White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt released the statement below: President Biden has made clear for weeks that Congress must act to prevent default. Earlier this week, the President met with the four Congressional leaders at the White House, where they agreed to move forward on a bipartisan budget framework. Following that meeting, the President assigned an experienced negotiating team and directed them to act in good faith to reach an agreement. But now, Republicans are taking the economy hostage and pushing us to the brink of default, which could cost millions of jobs and tip the country into recession after two years of steady job and wage growth. Republicans are recycling a barely watered down version of their extreme budget proposal that would eliminate 100,000 jobs for teachers and support staff, cut 2,000 law enforcement positions and could put the health care coverage for millions of Americans at risk at the same time as Republicans would extend tax breaks for the wealthiest and corporations. The Republican position is especially galling given that the debt increased by 40%under President Trump and those same tax breaks cost taxpayers $2 trillion. And Republicans are even trying once again to reward tax cheats by gutting funding for the IRS. Any serious budget negotiation must include discussion both of spending and of revenues, but Republicans have refused to discuss revenue. President Biden has lowered the deficit by $1.7 trillion in his first two years in office with this balanced approach and proposed a budget that would cut the deficit by an additional $3 trillion. Republicans, however, are focused on pulling the rug out from under hardworking Americans instead of considering the President's proposal to cut wasteful spending and cut the deficit by eliminating subsidies for oil and gas companies and pharma and asking the wealthiest to pay their fair share. There remains a path forward to arrive at a reasonable bipartisan agreement if Republicans come back to the table to negotiate in good faith. But President Biden will not accept a wishlist of extreme MAGA priorities that would punish the middle class and neediest Americans and set our economic progress back. |
| May 20, 2023 14:27 JST |
Travel pool #7- signing with Aussie PM Albanese Pool entered POTUS signing with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at 2:21 pm. They are signing a statement of intent on climate critical minerals and the clean energy transformation. Each leader sat a table with paper before them that they signed. Biden called it a "testament to our close cooperation" and said it established "climate and clean energy as a third pillar of the Australian US Alliance. This compact can enable the expansion and diversification of clean energy supply chains, especially as it relates to critical materials." He said to Albanese: "I want to thank you for your leadership" and called him a "great partner." Pool was being pulled after signing so room could be reset for bilat and opening statements. POTUS: "We're going to sign these and then ask you to leave and we'll reset the room and come back again and then make opening statements And so, please don't hurt each other going out." Pool exited at 2:23 pm and is holding to go back in. The President is participating in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia. U.S. Manifest Australia Manifest |
| May 20, 2023 14:43 JST |
Travel pool #8 - POTUS on debt talks Pool returned to room at 2:26 pm. POTUS and Albanese now in chairs before a backdrop with a G7 logo and American and Aussie flags. POTUS took a few questions on the debt talks. "Not at all," POTUS said when asked if he was worried about the debt talks. More: "It's a negotiation. It goes in stages. And what happened is the first meetings weren't all that progressive, the second ones were, third one was and then what happens is carriers go back to principles and say this is what we're thinking about." More: "I still believe we can avoid a default." It was hard to hear POTUS. Pooler working on getting full quotes. Biden also hushed an Australian reporter who was shouting questions at him while POTUS was talking about the debt negotiations. "Shush up," POTUS said. Ahead of the questions Biden and Albanese made opening statements. Quotes from those tk... |
| May 20, 2023 14:54 JST |
Travel pool #9 - more bilat details and POTUS quotes President Biden, in his opening statement, apologized to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for canceling his visit. Biden: "I look forward to our conversation today and hosting you for an official state visit later this year in Washington DC." Morw Biden: "I truly apologize to you for having to meet here instead of coming to Australia but we have a little thing going on at home." Albanese: "I understand the circumstances that you're dealing with. I would have done exactly the same thing. All politics is really local." Biden: "All politics may be local but our friendship is permanent." And here is a transcript of the POTUS Q&A (massive thanks to rest of pool for their help with quotes): A: Mr. President, how concerned are you, are you about the debt talks back home? POTUS: Not at all. Q: Are Republicans negotiating in good faith? POTUS: This goes in stages, Q: Mr. President -- POTUS: I've been in these negotiations before (Reporter talks) Shush up, okay. Thank you. More POTUS: Um -- the uh it goes in stages. And what happens is the first meetings weren't all that progressive, the second ones were, the third one was and then what happens is the carriers go back to the principals and say this is what we're thinking about. And then people put down new claims. I still believe we'll be able to avoid a default and we'll get something decent done. |
| May 20, 2023 16:28 JST |
Travel pool #10 - POTUS in G7 Summit working session on Food, Health, and Development From the White House (note only a still photographer from the pool was allowed into the top of this): The President is participating in a G7 Summit working session on Food, Health, and Development. In attendance: G7 Leaders Invited Countries and Partners U.S. Delegation: |
| May 20, 2023 17:22 JST |
Travel pool #11 - Photo of G7 leaders and leaders of invited countries The leaders started lining up at 5:07 pm for a photo spray. They came out a side door and held right off the spot where the family photo took place. The leaders were called to line up by county so they could file in to take their proper spot on the riser. POTUS was chatting with the president of the EU Council and didn't hear them call "United States." It was yelled a couple of times. Then Canadian PM Trudeau shouted "Joe" and walked over to get him. POTUS moved to join the leaders on the riser. Biden stood between Trudeau and French President Macron in the photo of G7 leaders and leaders of invited countries. After the photos were taken, POTUS stayed to chat with Macron for a bit. They walked off the riser with their arms around one another. Pool held while leaders made their exit, which took about 10 minutes as leaders lingered outside chatting to one another. It's a beautiful evening of 76 degrees with a slight breeze and the sun is starting to go down over rhe water. POTUS was one of the last to leave - chatting with Macron and the president of the EU. Photo spray took place at the same outdoor spot as this morning's family photo. The gun boats in the Hiroshima Bay are much bigger than the ones out this morning. |
| May 20, 2023 18:31 JST |
Travel pool #12 - POTUS at PGII Meeting Pool was brought into Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment meeting at 5:40 pm. Leaders sat around an oval table. POTUS sat to right of Japanese PM Kishida, who sat at the head of the table. Kishida made opening remarks in Japanese. Biden spoke after Kishida. POTUS talked about the infrastructure projects the leaders have supported in Africa, Asia and the Americas. He noted the US has made $30 billion in investments to date. POTUS: "We have a lot of work to do to close the infrastructure gap in third world counties." He talked about the US would make investments in places like SubSaharan Africa. POTUS said of US commitment: "In practice, that means making game changing investments in regions that could make a positive impact across multiple sectors." He added there would be investments in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Indonesia, and other places. He called on the G7 counties to invest more in infrastructure. "Democracies can deliver," POTUS said. EU President Ursula von der Leyen spoke next and invited leaders to a forum in Brussels in October. Leaders of Canada, Italy and Germany also spoke. POTUS listened as invited CEOs talked about their investments and how the G7 can support those more. He appeared to take a few notes, writing on a pad in front of him. Pool spotted Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Amos Hochstein sitting on the sidelines. Pool was pulled at 6:25 pm when remarks ended. CEOs and leaders had gotten up from their spots to go chat with POTUS. List of participants is forthcoming. From WH on earlier photo spray: The President is participating in a family photo with G7 leaders and invited countries and partners. G7 Leaders Invited Countries and Partners |
| May 20, 2023 20:41 JST |
Travel pool report #13 - Quad leaders photo spray The four Quad leaders - Biden, Albanese, Kishida, and Modi - lined up for a photo spray. They arrived at the photo spot - which is taking place on a upper floor of the hotel in front of massive glass windows - at 8:39 pm. Each leader stood before their respective flag and posed. After about a minute they moved into the room where they will meet. Pool is next moving into that Quad meeting room. Also from the WH on the PGII meeting: The President participated in a Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Event. Program Participants Additional Attendees U.S. Delegation Also pooler apologies for the typos in the last couple of reports - was typing fast on my phone! |
| May 20, 2023 20:57 JST |
Travel pool #14 - Quad meeting Pool entered Quad meeting room at 8:42 pm. The four leaders sat around one side of a round wooden table. PM Albanese convened the meeting to a start. He thanked the leaders for holding the meeting. PM Modi spoke next and (as through the translator) called the Quad important for peace and security in the region. PM Kishida was next (speaking through translator): He said the security environment has become even more severe. POTUS was last and hard to hear. He thanked the leaders for "accommodating the change in location." He talked about their shared goals and thanked them for their friendship. Pool was pulled at 8:53 pm. POTUS didn't respond to shouted questions on China. From the WH: The President is participating in a Quad Leaders' meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia. U.S. Manifest Australia Manifest Japan Manifest India Manifest |
| May 20, 2023 22:04 JST |
Travel pool report # 15 - POTUS and FLOTUS dinner From the White House: The President and the First Lady are attending a dinner with G7 leaders, invited countries, and international organizations. Reminder: This dinner was listed on POTUS' schedule as closed press. The dinner is taking place at the Grand Prince Hotel, where the G7 summit is taking place. Pooler inquired if President Zelensky is attending the dinner and will pass along any answer it receives. |
| May 20, 2023 22:36 JST |
Travel pool #16 - Dinner menu President Zelensky did not attend the dinner, the White House confirms. Here is the menu: The menu served at the G7 Hiroshima Summit Social Dinner: Menu Crab Royale, Hatsukaichi Wasabi and Oyster Cream Stew, Sea Urchin and Miyazaki Caviar Marinated Raw Lobster, Artichoke Mousse and Vegetables with Herbs Cold Lemon Miso Soup, Watershield with Spring Onions Kagoshima Wagyu Fillet Sweet Snapper Steamed Rice with Bean Curd, Ginger, and Leaf Ginger Hiroshima Oyster Okonomiyaki Pancake Iwate Dairy Cheesecake Miyagi Strawberry Gelato Origami Crane-Shaped Chocolate |
| May 20, 2023 23:24 JST |
Travel pool #17 - Motorcade rolling At 11:22 pm the motorcade is rolling to the RON. Pool did not see POTUS enter the Beast. |
| May 20, 2023 23:40 JST |
Travel pool #18 - arrival at RON and lid At 11:37 pm the motorcade arrived at the RON after an uneventful drive. Pool didn't see POTUS exit the Beast. At 11:39 pm there is a travel photo lid. Thanks to co-pooler Eli Stokols and the rest of the pool for all their help today. |
Joseph R. Biden, Pool Reports of May 20, 2023 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/361882