Pool Reports of May 30, 2025

In-town pool report #1: Miller gaggle

Good morning from the White House, where deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller fielded questions from reporters for about 15 minutes after a CNN appearance. Video here: https://www.c-span.org/program/white-house-event/stephen-miller-speaks-to-reporters-at-the-white-house/660630

Some highlights below.

Are you concerned about drug use by Elon Musk?
"The drugs that we're concerned about are the drugs running across the southern border."

On what China did wrong to violate the trade agreement:
"It's a great question and a very valid question. I'm going to let the USTR, the trade rep, Jamieson Greer, as well as Secretary of Commerce, Secretary Lutnick, provide more detail on that. I know that's not exactly the answer that you want, but I will speak at a high level to the fact that China has abrogated the agreement. The United States acted immediately and in good faith, as of course you all saw with the proclamation adjusting the tariff rate. China did not fulfill the obligations that it made and committed to with the United States. 

"And so that opens up all manner of action for the United States to ensure future compliance. It remains the president's hope and desire that China will choose the path of cooperation, of common ground, and we can open up China to American business, just in the same way that America, of course, as we all know, has been open to Chinese business for a very long time."

On student visa restrictions:
"The State Department is putting that in place right now, so I don't want to get ahead of Secretary Rubio in how exactly that's going to be developed, so details to come. But as a general matter, the policy is going to be that we're not going to be awarding visas to individuals who have a risk of being engaged in any form of malign conduct in the United States, which of course, would include espionage, theft of trade secrets, theft of technology, or other actions that would degrade the security of our industrial base. 

"At the same time, there's a deeper issue here, too. JD Vance has spoken about it as well, about we don't do enough in this country to reward and celebrate American genius...And we cannot have a policy in America where every citizen of this country, whether looking for a job, whether they're looking for housing, whether they're looking for a government benefit in a time of need, has to compete with all of planet Earth. Because then you're not a nation anymore. At that point, you're just a world economy."

In-town pool report #2: Lunch lid

The White House called a lunch lid until 1 p.m.

In-town pool report #3: Gathering for presser

Pool is gathering for the Oval Office press conference with the president and Elon Musk. 

Your pooler would recommend tuning into the presser on CSPAN, one of the networks or one of various YouTube streams that appear to be carrying it live. I will send color and highlights from the room.

In-town pool report #4: Presser underway

Pool entered the Oval Office at 1:56 p.m. President Trump was seated behind the Resolute Desk. Elon Musk was standing next to him. The president opened by saying Musk did not need to commit to government service. He then played a clip on a laptop from CNBC that touted economic progress.

"Today it's about a man named Elon," Trump said after playing the video.

Others in the room included Dan Scavino, Scott Bessent, Howard Lutnick, Kevin Hassett, Steven Cheung, Karoline Leavitt and Katie Miller.

For those still looking for a livestream, you can find it here, via the White House:https://www.youtube.com/live/dAv3PaMnme8?si=wsa-756pJjV2Xk9H

In-town pool report #5: Trump/Musk remarks

POTUS opened with a lengthy recap of what he said DOGE has accomplished, including layoffs of thousands of government workers and millions in government contracts being canceled.

"We're totally committed to making the DOGE cuts permanent," Trump said, adding that "most of it is going to come later."

Trump added that Musk is going to be "back and forth" despite leaving his government role. Most of Musk's people will be staying, Trump said.

"I think, I have a feeling it's his baby, and I think he's going to be doing a lot of things," Trump said.
Musk is wearing a black cap that had "DOGE" printed on it and has what appears to be a bruise near his right eye.

Musk speaking now.

"This is not the end of DOGE," he said. "The DOGE team will only grow stronger over time."

In-town pool report #6: More Oval

Musk on reported drug use: He responded by attacking The New York Times over its past reporting on Russian meddling in U.S. elections.

"That New York Times? Let's move on," Musk said.

Trump was asked about Jill Biden potentially testifying on the former president's mental state, talks with China and a potential ceasefire deal in the Middle East. 

Musk was asked about the biggest roadblock to DOGE's work and what role he'll have moving forward.

Trump was asked about Diddy and a potential pardon, video of a viral exchange between the French president and his wife on a plane and the reconciliation package in Congress.

Both were asked about the reconciliation package and some of their recent comments saying they didn't like parts of it.

Event is ongoing.

In-town look report #7: Presser ends

Pool was ushered out of the Oval Office at 2:49 p.m. after roughly an hour. 

Trump was asked about foreign students, the war in Ukraine, and about the impact of tariffs on companies like Tesla.

Trump at one point said he believes he solved inflation already, citing lower fuel costs. The hardest thing to solve, he said, was people "pouring into our country."

Trump said not to feel sorry for former President Biden because he's "vicious." He said his meeting with Fed Chair Jerome Powell was a "good meeting."

Elon Musk, asked about the bruise around his eye, said he got it from horsing around with his young son, X, who he said he let punch him in the face.

"He did. Turns out even a five year old punching you in the face actually does...," he said, trailing off.

In-town pool report #8: Gathering for departure

Pool is now gathering for President Trump's departure from the South Lawn for his trip to Pennsylvania.

In-town pool report #9: Departure, no remarks

President Trump exited the Oval Office at 3:30 p.m. He waved and gave a fist pump to gathered reporters but did not come over to speak to the press or respond to shouted questions about whether Elon Musk uses drugs or someone impersonating Susie Wiles. 

He boarded Marine One, followed by Karoline Leavitt, Walt Nauta and a few other aides.

Marine One lifted off at 3:35 p.m. Handing off to the travel pool.

In-town pool report #10: Rolling from JBA

President Trump deplaned from Air Force One at about 9:10 p.m. and spoke with the traveling pool under a steady rainfall. In-town pool watched from the vans.

The motorcade was rolling from JBA at 9:18 p.m. for the drive back to the White House.

In-town pool report #11: White House arrival

The motorcade returned to the White House at 9:42 p.m. after a wet drive. The rain had subsided by the time the motorcade reached the White House, and there was a smattering of onlookers gathered by the entrance.

POTUS was already back in the White House by the time pool got out of the vans.

In-town pool report #12: Lid

White House called a lid at 9:48 p.m. Have a good weekend!

Travel Pool Report #1 JBA Arrival

Marine One arrived at Joint Base Andrews at 3:43 PM.

President Trump stepped out of M1 at 3:46 PM. He saluted his greeter and walked towards AF1. He did not stop for a shouted question. He gave a thumbs up at top of the steps and entered AF1 at 3:47 PM. 

Secretary Bessent stepped into Air Force One before POTUS’s arrival around 3:40.

Travel Pool Report #2 Allegeny County Airport Arrival

AF1 was wheels up at 3:58 PM and landed at 4:33 PM.

Pooler spotted the author Salena Zito on AF1.

Travel Pool Report #3 AF1 exit/motorcade

President Trump took an umbrella from a staffer and exited Air Force One at 4:48 PM. Motorcade is rolling at 4:50 PM. 

And flagging a typo in the last pool report. AF1 landed at *Allegheny* County Airport.

Travel Pool Report #4 U.S. Steel Arrival

The motorcade ride was uneventful. We passed by many Trump supporters along the route, some waving MAGA flags. The U.S. Steel factory had a sign at the entrance stating "Welcome President Trump." 

We arrived at 4:59 PM.

Travel Pool Report #5 U.S. Steel tour/remarks about to begin

***POTUS comes out for remarks at 5:37 PM

Pool was hustled through the factory to an area across from large rolls of sheet metal. A large American flag hung from the ceiling. Loud music was playing. "If I Can Dream," by Elvis Presley. 

Rep. Dan Meuser walked by the press area. 

Pooler did not see POTUS enter. POTUS first stopped in an area of the factory that was curtained off from the press. 

At 5:22 PM, POTUS walked out of the curtained off area and met with three steel workers. They gifted him a golden hard hat. Bessent and Karoline Leavitt observed from the side as the workers showed POTUS each roll of steel. POTUS occasionally pointed at the metal and nodded his head. 

POTUS looked over when a pooler shouted if they had reached a deal but didn't answer. It wasn't clear if he heard. Staffers hustled us to the press area at 5:28 PM.

Travel Pool Report #6 Steel Tariff

POTUS announced during his remarks that he's raising steel tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent. The crowd applauded. 

Remarks still going...

Travel Pool Report #7 Trump Remarks Over// rolling

The president came out to speak at 5:37 PM. He spoke before a crowd of steelworkers, many wearing orange, gold and white hard hats. Some waved Make America Great Again signs. Three signs were hanging behind him: "AMERICAN JOBS," "THE GOLDEN AGE" and "AMERICAN STEEL." A crowd of steel workers also stood behind POTUS in orange reflective vests. 

Check quotes against a transcript or video. 

"There's a lot of money coming your way," POTUS said. 

"We're here today to celebrate a blockbuster agreement," he said. 

"You're going to stay an American company, you know that?" Trump said. 

Trump called Japan a friend. He noted the vice chair of Nippon Steel is here. "This is going to be his pet project," Trump said. 

Trump introduced Secretary Bessent and called him "central casting." He shouted out Rep. Dan Meuser and said he would have his support if he ran for governor. 

POTUS then called up former Steelers runningback Rocky Bleier, quarterback Mason Rudolph and safety Miles Killebrew to the stage. Bleier gifted POTUS a Steelers jersey that said "Trump." 

POTUS said Nippon came to him repeatedly seeking a deal. "They kept asking and I kept rejecting. No way, no way, no way." 

"Everytime they came in, the deal got better and better and better," Trump said. 

"It's above all a matter of national security," Trump said of keeping steel manufacturing in the U.S. 

Trump criticized Biden's border policies and "radical left crazy judges."

Trump announced he would be doubling the 25 percent steel tariffs. 

He said he didn't think Bessent would make a good steelworker and needed more muscle. Trump added he thought Bessent was doing well at his current job. 

"I won't talk about your national union. Because I don't know if he knows what the hell he's talking about," Trump said. 

He said all steel mills in the United States will remain "open and thriving."

"You're going to be here for a long time," Trump said. "There will be no layoffs." He also promised all U.S. steel workers a $5,000 bonus. 

Trump criticized those calling for the workers to focus on semiconductor chips. "You don't want to do chips," Trump said. 

He then called up steel workers to speak.

Trump then spoke again and touted his economic policies. He said he wants immigrants to come to the U.S. "legally." He wants to get his "one, big beautiful bill" passed. He pledged to lower prescription drug prices. He criticized the media.

POTUS ended his remarks at 6:38 PM. We're rolling at 6:43 PM.

Travel Pool Report 8 AF1

POTUS was boarding AF1 at 6:52 PM by the time the pool’s motorcade arrived.

Travel Pool Report #10 AF1 exit // POTUS Q&A

Salena Zito came down the big steps first at 9:10 PM. Then POTUS stepped out into the pouring rain wearing a MAGA hat and overcoat. 

POTUS walked over to the press and answered questions on Elon Musk’s reported drug use. He said he wasn’t aware and he’s not troubled by it. He also answered questions on the U.S. Steel/Nippon Steel potential deal, job growth in Pennsylvania,  the Susie Wiles impersonator, the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza and he said he does not know yet if he supports the Graham bill sanctioning Russia. He also answered a question on Chinese student visas. I’ll send quotes momentarily. Typing in the rain! 

Here’s an otter 

https://otter.ai/u/9jkpI_4rL7Y2z-YW-uQDPym12J8

Travel Pool Report #11 Trump Q&A Part 1

POTUS started by saying he thinks the U.S. Steel/Nippon deal will be "a fantastic deal." He said $17 billion is being invested for new steel mills. 

Q: Can Pennsylvania be the steel capital of the world? 

"I think it's going to happen. I think it's going to happen." 

Q: What's it going to take? 

"Not much. We just had $17 billion given. And again, we're going to have control in the U.S. It's going to be a U.S.A. deal, the board is controlled. More importantly the money is built and spent on facilities. You can't take them and leave."

"The money is invested in brick and mortar, you can't lift it up and take it," Trump said. "But I think much more importantly it's going to be a great partnership. And the company Nippon is coming in with $17 billion plus." 

Q: But is it an acquisition? Is Nippon acquiring U.S. Steel? 

"This is an investment. It's controlled by the United States and more importantly they're spending the money on brick and mortar. You can't take it. What are you going to do, pick it up and move it to Japan? That's not going to happen. 

Q: But they will own U.S. Steel? 

"I rejected this about four times now and when they finally got it right I liked it a lot," Trump said, adding the unions loved it. 

Q: It will be thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania right? 

"Thousands....I like this guy." 

Q: Were you aware of Elon Musk's regular drug use? 

"No, I wasn't. I think he's fantastic. I think Elon is a fantastic guy." 

Q: Are you troubled by these reports? 

"I'm not troubled by anything with Elon. I think he's fantastic. He did a great job. And you know DOGE continues. And by the time it's finished, we'll have numbers that knock your socks off. It's going to be a -- he did a fantastic job. And he didn't need to do it." 

Q How do you replace him? 

He's not easy to replace. 

Travel Pool Report #12 Trump Q&A Part 2 // Fin

Q: Is the Nippon deal finalized? 

"No, I have to approve the final deal." 

Q: How will it stay in U.S. ownership?

"Well you'll see but I have to approve the final deal with Nippon and we haven't seen that final deal yet. But they've made a very big commitment. And it's a very big investment. It's the largest investment in the history of Pennsylvania in any deal, not just steel..." 

Q: Do you support the Lindsey Graham/Blumenthal bill that would levy sanctions on Russia? 

"I don't know. I have to see it. We'll take a look at it."

Q: Are you confident that your proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza that was just submitted this week will get approved by Hamas? 

"I think they want to, they want to get out of that mess. They're in a big mess. I think they want to get out of it." 

Q: Can we anticipate any trade deals next week? And does this deal today with Nippon help your overall talks with Japan? 

"Well Japan very much wants to make a trade deal, I don't think this has much to do with it but it certainly won't hurt... I think the deal I'm most proud of is the fact that we're dealing with India, we're dealing with Pakistan and we were able to stop potentially a nuclear war through trade, as opposed to bullets. Normally they do it through bullets. We do it through trade. So I'm very proud of that. Nobody talks about it but we had a very nasty potential war going on between Pakistan and India. And now if you look they're doing fine."

Trump noted Pakistan representatives are coming to Washington next week and the administration is very close to making a deal with India. 

"I wouldn't have any interest in making a deal with either if they were going to war with each other," Trump said. 

Trump was asked for his message for the G7 in a couple weeks

"Well, it's in Canada and he's a very nice guy by the way, Mark Carney, I think he's a very nice guy. And we had some good talks. We'll see what happens. 

Q: There's reports that Susie Wiles's phone was breached and someone is impersonating her. 

"I heard that, yeah." 

Q: Are you concerned about that? 

"No, she's an amazing woman. She can handle it. But I've heard they breached her phone and tried to impersonate her. Nobody can impersonate Susie. There's only one Susie." 

Q: What's your message to Chinese college students in the United States that want to stay in the United States and don't want their visa revoked? 

"They're going to be okay. It's going to work out fine. We just want to check out the individual students. We have to and that's true with all colleges," Trump said. 

He then criticized Harvard for allegedly not providing the government with enough information. 

"We want people that can love our country and take care of our country and cherish our country and for some reason Harvard doesn't want to give us a list," Trump said.

That's it for me, thanks all. Have a great night.