Pool Reports of October 13, 2025

WH Travel Pool note #1: JBA Arrival

Hello! I'll be your pooler for this quick swing to the Middle East.

POTUS motorcade arrived at JBA at 4:31pm ET (all times stamps from the trip will be in local time)

It is cold and windy with a light drizzle.

WH travel pool note #2

POTUS boarded AF1 at 4:35pm

He briefly spoke to press but did not answer questions. He emphasized what a proud moment this is.

Rough transcript:
This is going to be a very special time. And I guess if you read your own papers and your own networks, everybody's very excited about this moment in time, so I'll see you on the plane. I think you're traveling with us, but this is a very special event. They had 500,000 people yesterday and today, in Israel, and also the Muslim and Arab countries are all cheering. Everybody's cheering at one time. That's never happened before. Usually, if you have one cheering, the other isn't the other is the opposite. This is the first time everybody is amazed and they're thrilled, and it's an honor to be involved, and we're gonna have an amazing time, and it's gonna be something that's never, never happened before. So I'll see you on the plane, and we're gonna have a good time. Okay? Peter, nice to see you. Thank you, everybody over you.

Otter here: https://otter.ai/u/qf5w07FI-PMaqFD_FIGPsRbP2EA

Below is a list of travelers according to WH:

List of travelers:

Secretary Marco Rubio
Secretary Pete Hegseth
Director John Ratcliffe
Chairman Dan Caine
Susie Wiles
Stephen Miller
James Blair
Dan Scavino
Steven Cheung
Karoline Leavitt
Will Scharf
Ambassador Monica Crowley

Consider this your wheels up.

WH Travel Pool Note #3: Gaggle and Arrival

AF1 touched down at Ben Gurion Airport at 9:44am local time

We flew over a "thank you Trump" sign on the beach.

President Trump gaggled for about 25 minutes at 5pm ET shortly after takeoff.

Toward the end of the gaggle he made some newsy comments regarding Ukraine, saying he would consider sending them Tomahawks. But he said he would talk to Putin first, to tell him that if he doesn't settle the war, he may send the weapons to Ukraine:

"Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so. I think I might speak to Russia about that. I told that to President Zelenskyy. Because Tomahawks are a new step of aggression….I may say look - if this war doesn't get settled, I may send Tomahawks."

More on that in rough transcript below.

Now to the Middle East:

To a question about Netanyahu not going so far as to say the war is over, he said unequivocally: "A: The war is over – you got that? The war is over."

He said it would take time before Gaza is rebuilt, but said the process will start "immediately." Trump said this is "the first chance it's had in centuries of being peaceful. It's always been a very very strange area."

He said the new "Board of Peace" will step in to govern "very quickly" and that all the leaders in the world have been calling him asking to be a part of it. He said he knows who will be on it but is not ready to share. He said he spoke to Tony Blair but he has to first "find out if he's an acceptable choice for everybody."

He spoke about his relationship with Netanyahu saying "I had some disputes with him and they were quickly settled." He said he think's Netanyahu has done a great job and "he was the right person at the right time."

He spent a great deal of time praising Qatar, saying they were an amazing help to getting this done, and emphasizing that they are in the middle of "unbelievably hostile territory." He said "It was very tough and very dangerous for Qatar and they were very brave. And Qatar should start getting some credit."

To a question about his comments from 2017 saying they were funding terrorism he said he didn't know them very well at the time, and continued to praise them.

When asked if he would ever visit Gaza: He also said he would visit Gaza: "I'd like to put my feet on it at least."

On China, he said of President Xi's recent statement: "I know what happened. I really understand what happened. I'm not even saying he's wrong. But then we met him with something much tougher than what he did to us.

He said the plan for Nov 1 tariffs is still in place but also said that Nov 1 is "an eternity" so "Let's see what happens"

On the shutdown he said, "We're ending some programs we never wanted and we'll probably never allow them to come back."

ROUGH TRANSCRIPT OF MOST RELEVANT MOMENTS;

On shutdown
"Were ending some programs we never wanted and we'll probably never allow them to come back."

On peace deal
"It's a point in time I don't think you'll ever see again."
"Everybody is into this deal"

Q: Netanyahu has not gone so far as to say the war is over. Is the war over?
A: The war is over – you got that? The war is over.

Q: Will the ceasefire hold?
A: I think so…I think people are tired of it. It's been centuries. Yeah the ceasefire is gonna hold.

Q: How long until developers can come in and make it the Riviera of the middle east?
A: Well I don't know about the riviera for a while….//Take a look at what you have - you have to get people taken care of fist. But it's really going to start immediately…
But t's like a demolition site, so you have to get rid of what you have there.
That process is going to start immediately

Q: What will it look like a year from now?
A: A year is very quick but over the years I think it'd going to look very good. It's the first chance it's had in centuries of being peaceful. It's always been a very very strange area…it's always been loaded up with problems.

Q: How soon will the new governing board be in place?
A: Very quickly, and everybody wants to be a part of it…//the board of peace…//I've had calls from all of the leaders of countries.
Q: Do you know who will be a part of it?
A: I do I do
Q: Can you share?
A: Not yet

Q: Have you spoken to Tony Blair?
A: I have. I want to find out that Tony would be popular. I don't know that. I want to find out if he's an acceptable choice for everybody.//
Q: What guarantees have you been able to get from Israeli's and the Arab countries?
A: We have a lot of guarantees…//a lot of VERBAL guarantees and I don't think they're gonna want to disappointment…//a lot of guarantees that haven't been put down in writing but they've been given to me.

Q: I'm sure you've seen reports about Hamas arming themselves as police officers, killing rivals. What is your message to Hamas?
A: We've given them approval for a period of time….//
We are having to watch that there won't be big problems.
I think it's gonna be fine.

Q: What did you do so differently?
A: I resonated with Arab leaders, Muslim leaders, and Jewish leaders.

Q: Relationship with Netanhahu?
A: He just put me up yesterday for the Nobel Prize.
Q: Has he made commitments to you personally about moving on to the next phase?
A: He's a wartime President and he did a very good job. I had some disputes with him and they were quickly settled. As far I'm concerned I think he's done a great job. I think he was the right person at the right time….//working with me he was fantastic…

Q: Have you talked to Qataris about their changing behavior to stop funding terrorism?
A: The Qataris really helped us with this deal. The Emir is an amazing man who really helped us….You have to understand his country is in the middle of unbelievably hostile territory… Qatar was an amazing help to getting this done and I hope people understand that. It was very tough and very dangerous for Qatar and they were very brave. And Qatar should start getting so credit.
Q: Have they changed from 2017 when you said they were funding terrorism?
A: In 2017 I didn't know them very well…//As I got to know them I started to realize they are right in the middle of everything.

Q: Ceasefire earlier this year in March…//
A: Sometimes you have to go through pain before it all happens…//
NOTE: He thanked Turkey, Saudia Arabia, UAE, Jordan, and Indonesia.

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
"In all fairness to the Nobel committee…//it was for 2024…//but there are those that say you can make an exception…but i did this not for Nobel, but for saving lives"

Q: What can you take from this peace process into Russia/Ukraine?
A: Never give up…//
I give Ukraine credit for doing so well. They're good fighters. I think President Putin will look great if he settled. I think he's gonna settle. If he doesn't, it's not gonna be good for him

Q: President Xi has been putting out tough statements regarding your tariffs…
A: Tariffs have given us diplomatic strength….I've settles a few wars just with tariffs…//
I have a great relationship with Xi….//I know what happened i really understand what happened. I'm not even saying he's wrong. But then we met him with something much tougher than what he did to us.

Q: Would you ever visit Gaza?
I would. I'd be proud to, I see it - I know it so well without visiting. I'd like to do it…I'd like to put my feet on it at least. I think it's going to be a great miracle over there over the coming decades. And you know if you go too fast it's not gonna be good. You have to go at the right speed.

Q: Are you still planning for the Nov 1 tariffs on China?
A: Right now it is. Let's see what happens. November first is an eternity.

Q: Can you tell us about your conversations with Zelenskyy?
A: We had a great talk….//
We talked about the weapons they need…they need patriots very badly, they'd like to have Tomahawks, that's a step up. We talked about that.
Q: Will you send Tomahawks?
A: Maybe…I may have to speak to Russia…do they want to have tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so. I think i might speak to Russia bout that. I told that to President Zelenskyy. Because Tomahawks are a new step of aggression.
Q: Are you saying you will speak to Putin first about Tomahawks?
A: I may say look - if this war doesn't get settled I may send Tomahawks. A Tomahawk is an incredible weapon. And Rusia does not need that. IF the war is not settled we may do it. We may not. But we may do it.

WH Travel Pool Note #4: greeting on tarmac

President Trump deplaned at 9:56 local time

He was greeted by:

H.E Benjamin Netanyahu and Sara Netanyahu
Prime Minster of Israel and Spouse
H.E. Isaac Herzog and Michal Herzog
President of Israel and Spouse
H.E. Yechiel Leiter
Israeli Ambassador to the United States
Ambassador Mike Huckabee
United States Ambassador to Israel
Jared and Ivanka, and Steve Witkoff also spotted in the welcome group.

A red carpet was rolled out in the tarmac.

He spoke for a few minutes with Netanyahu. Handshakes and shoulder pats all around.

Greets and kisses Ivanka, chats with Jared and Witkoff.

WH Travel Pool #5: Motorcade en route to Knesset

Beast departed airport at 10:09am local.

Pool is in press vans following. Approx 40min drive.

WH Travel Pool #6: arrival at Knesset

Motorcade arrived at Knesset at 11am local.

The road en route to the Knesset was completely cleared.

Signs thanking Trump and honoring hostages were scattered throughout the route.

WH travel pool note #7

Pool is seated in Knesset. A number of folks in the audience wearing red MAGA-style hats that say "TRUMP THE PEACE PRESIDENT."

Photo attached

WH Travel Pool Note #8: Bibi to Egypt

As we await POTUS speech at the Knesset your pooler can confirm on background from a WH official and an Israeli official that Netanyahu is now going to Egypt.

From WH official:
POTUS brokered the call with Egypt, and Netanyahu was invited to Egypt.

FPPO only: we are expecting the program to begin between 12:45pm and 1pm local time.

WH Travel Pool Note #9: speech excerpts

Excerpts from President Trump's Speech at the Knesset:

We gather on a day of profound joy, of soaring hope, of renewed faith—and above all, a day to give our deepest thanks to the Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

//

After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace.

///

This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.

///

It is an incredible triumph for Israel and the world to have all of these nations working together as partners in peace. Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change.

///

The cruelty of October 7th struck to the core of humanity itself. The United States of America grieved alongside you, and we mourned for our own citizens who were so viciously taken. To all the families whose lives were forever changed by the atrocities of that day, and to all the people of Israel, please know that America joins you in those two everlasting vows—NEVER FORGET, and NEVER AGAIN.

///

As the dust settles, the smoke fades, the debris is removed, and the ashes clear from the air, the day breaks on a region TRANSFORMED—and a beautiful and much brighter future appears suddenly within our reach.

///

Israel has won all that can be won by force of arms. Now, it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.

////

Together, we have shown that Peace is not just a hope we can dream about, it is a reality we can build upon—day by day, person by person, nation by nation.

///

It should now be clear to everyone throughout this region that decades of fomenting terrorism and extremism, jihadism and anti-Semitism have not worked—they have backfired completely and totally. From Gaza to Iran, those bitter hatreds have delivered nothing but misery, suffering, and failure.

///

The total focus of Gazans must be on restoring the fundamentals of stability, safety, dignity, and economic development, so they can finally have the better life their children deserve.

///

It is more obvious than ever that the productive and responsible nations of this region should not be enemies or adversaries, you should be partners, and eventually even friends.

///

Even to Iran, whose regime has inflicted so much death on the Middle East, the hand of friendship and cooperation is always open.

//

The story of fierce Israeli resolve and triumph since October 7th should be proof to the entire world that those who seek to destroy this nation are doomed to bitter failure. The State of Israel is strong—and it will live and thrive forever.

//

If Safety, Security, and Co-Existence can thrive here in the winding alleys and ancient paths of Jerusalem, then surely, peace and respect can flourish among the nations of the broader Middle East.

///

The God who once dwelled among His people in this city still calls us, in the words of scripture, to "turn from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it."

//

From the very first day that modern Israel was founded, we have stood together through trial and setback, through victory and defeat, through glory and heartache.

///

We have built industries together, we have made discoveries together, we have confronted evil together, we have waged war together, and perhaps most beautifully of all, we have made peace together. And this week, against all odds, we have done the IMPOSSIBLE, and brought our hostages home.

WH Travel Pool Note #10: US delegation enters

Rubio, Hegseth, Huckabee, Joint Chiefs Chairman just entered the room with the US delegation.

Program will begin shortly.

WH Travel Pool Note #11: Claps for Ivanka

As Ivanka made her way into the chamber, the Knesset broke into applause. She looked moved and made gestures of gratitude.

WH Travel Pool Note #12

POTUS entered the chamber at 12:54pm to a big sustained round of applause (about 2mins).

Program is starting.

Order of speakers:
speaker
PM
Opposition leader
POTUS

This will be fed live so I will only send highlights and breaking news

WH Travel Pool Note #13: Knesset Speaker Remarka

Highlights from Knesset Speaker remarks:

As the speaker introduced Netanyahu, the chamber broke into applause and chants of "Bibi!"
Big applause for Dermer, Rubio, Hegseth, Caine, Huckabee.
Big applause and chants for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Huge welcome to Trump. Applause, chants of "Trump, Trump, Trump."
Big thanks to Trump for moving the Embassy to Jerusalem.

Speaker removes a pin for hostages as they are now released.

Joked about how they we checked the teleprompters and they are working beautifully.

"The world needs more Trumps."

Speaker announced he will work with Speaker Mike Johnson to rally leaders from around world to nominate and advocate for Trump to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

WH Travel Pool Note #14: Bibi remarks

PM Netanyahu began his remarks at 1:24pmlocal.

Highlights from Netanyahu remarks:

Thanks Trump for a long list of actions including: moving embassy to Jerusalem, and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, "standing up to the lies against Israel at the UN," brokering the Abraham accords, withdrawing from nuclear deal, for launching operation Midnight Hammer.

"Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House. No American president has ever done more for Israel. And it's not even close."

Thanks him for a proposal that brought all the hostages home and that achieved "all our objectives."

Long applause for an American Israeli injured in Gaza.

"There is a time for peace and a time for war. The coming years will hopefully be a time for peace."

Very warm embrace between the two men at the end of Bibi speech.

WH Travel Note #15: Bibi NOT going to Egypt

Your pooler has received an update from the Prime Minister's office indicating he will NOT be going to Egypt, despite the invitation.

STATEMENT FROM PM OFFICE:

Prime Minister Netanyahu has been invited by US President Trump to participate in a conference to be held today in Egypt. The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he would not be able to attend due to the proximity of the holiday. The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his efforts to expand the circle of peace - peace based on strength.

I have reached out to WH for more details.

WH Travel Pool Note #16: disturbance

There was a disruption from a member of the Knesset who was quickly escorted out. It's not yet clear what exactly happened. Will update if/when we learn more.

WH Travel Pool Note #17: CORRECTION

CORRECTION: The White House ONLY confirmed that Netanyahu was INVITED to Egypt, not that he was attending.

Apologies for the confusion.

WH Pool Report 18: Trump says pardon Bibi

Trump just President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.

He called him "one of the greatest wartime presidents."

He joked: "Cigars and some champagne- who the hell cares?"

WH Travel Pool Note #19: Trump speech concludes

POTUS began his speech at 2:09pm local and wrapped at 3:14pm.

It's a crowd that mostly has not seen POTUS speak. They were fully engaged - laughing, nodding, clapping throughout

There was a disturbance around 2:15pm from a member of the Knesset. He was escorted out quickly.

"That was very efficient" Trump quipped.

He thanks to everyone on the team, but two standing ovations for Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine.

Tells Steve Witkoff "we gotta get Russia done."

Calls the opposition leader a "nice man" to some mixed reaction and laughs from the crowd.

Tells Bibi he can "be a little bit nicer now, you're not a war anymore Bibi."

Trump joked about how everyone's speeches were too long and are making him late to Egypt.

The world wanted peace and Israel wanted peace …It was getting bad. You will be remembered for this far more than if you would have kept going going…"

This received mixed applause.

Called on Iran to put down their arms, and recognize Israel's right to exist.

Told Iran "we are ready when you are" to make a deal.

Have a shoutout to Miriam Adelson sitting with American delegation. He credits her and Sheldon with "getting him thinking about Golan Heights."

In perhaps the most unexpected moment, Trump asked the President to pardon Netanyahu.

WH Travel Pool Note #20: motorcade rolling out

The motorcade left the Knesset at 3:35pm headed back to the airport for the next leg of the trip.

WH Travel Pool Note #21: Departure

Motorcade rolled up to AF1 just after 4pm.

POTUS was in the middle of a big farewell scrum in front of AF1 with most of the same names that greeted him, including Netanyahu.

POTUS boarded AF1 at 4:13pm. Consider this your wheels up.

You'll hear from me next in Egypt.

WH Travel Pool Note #22: Egypt arrival

AF1 wheels down in Sharm El-Sheikh at 5:20pm local.

We got an escort by F16s from the Egyptian Air Force.

POTUS deplaned at 5:35pm

He was greeted by Egyptian President El-Sisi

WH Travel Pool Note #23: motorcade to peace ceremony

Motorcade is en route to Sharm El Sheikh Congress Center.

Approx 10 min drive

WH Travel Pool Note #24: arrival

Motorcade arrived for the peace ceremony around 5:48 PM

WH Travel Pool Note #25: Trump,

President Trump and President El-Sisi take a photo together at 5:55p. Then took questions from the press.

This event was not on the on the official press schedule, nor was the QA.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have made their way to Egypt with the American delegation.

Rough quotes

Trump:
They've done a fantastic job, they have very little crime. They don't have crime. They don't play games like our Governors.

He played a very important role. He has a lot of respect from Hamas.

Iran is gonna be fine. "They took a big hit." Iran put out a statement supporting this peace deal.

Phase 2 is starting now. Gaza needs a lot of cleanup.

Talks again about how little crime Egypt has."We're very proud of him." We had very good chemistry.

It's peace in the Middle East and everybody said it's not possible to do.

Witkoff:
Jared and I were already working knot unlearn of the deal. We will be dug in. A lot more work to do here.

El-Sisi:
I welcome you to Egypt it's a great pleasure and an honor. We salute this unprecedented achievement. Your excellency is the only one that could bring this about. I thank you Mr President.
What we need to do now is to make sure the ceasefire sustains. That we can deliver all the bodies of deceased. And working very closely on following rest of the steps.

Witkoff on board of peace:
We have a long list of applicants.

Rubio: most important day for peace in the Middle East in 50 years

Travel Pool #26: World Leader Greeting

World leader greeting program is beginning as of 6:38pm. POTUS will shake hands and take a photo with each world leader participating today.

WH Travel Pool Report # 27: family photo and notes

Family photo at 7pm local with all the world leaders.

During individual photos, the President took some brief moments to chat with all the world leaders. Those he knew well, he greeted warmly. The line of leaders and staff snaking around the room was a striking sight. (Photos attached).

A few notable moments:
Shouts "peace, peace" at the President of Azerbaijan. Says "he's a very peaceful guy."

Very long handshake with Macron eliciting some laughs in the room.

Another long handshake with the President of Armenia, heard POTUS tell him something about "peace."

Very warm greeting with UK's Starmer, and Italy's Meloni.

WH travel pool note #28: Peace signing ceremony

The President is seated for the peace signing ceremony. He is starting to speak at 7:17pm.

WH Travel Pool Note #29: Excerpts

Reportable:

Excerpts from President Trump's Speech to World Leaders in Egypt

///

This is the day that people across this region and around the world have been working, striving, hoping, and praying for. With the historic agreement we have just signed, those prayers of millions have finally been answered. Together, we have achieved the impossible. At long last, we have Peace in the Middle East.

///

What we have achieved together in recent days will change history and be remembered forever.

///

The momentous breakthrough we are here to celebrate tonight is MORE than the end of the war in Gaza—with God's help, it will be a new beginning for the entire Middle East. From this moment forward, we can build a region that is strong, stable, prosperous, and united in rejecting the path of terror once and for all.

///

The first steps to peace are always the hardest—and today, we have taken them together.

////

All the momentum now is toward a great, glorious, and lasting Peace.

///

We have shown how it can be done—with responsible nations setting aside their differences, seeking common ground, and pursuing a better world for us all.

///

Today, for the first time anyone can remember, we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us—and to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past.

///

So together, let us continue in the spirit of cooperation and goodwill that has finally brought us to this historic breakthrough.

WH Travel Pool Note #30

POTUS started signing the documents at 7:24pm. The sound of his pen writing his signature on the papers echoed in the quiet room.

Signing ceremony concluded at 7:30pm.

Other notes not in excerpts:

POTUS commended everyone in the room, and talked about the amount of wealth present today.

Asks the President of Azerbaijan and Armenia if they're staying peaceful after he solved the conflict between the two of them. Getting laughs from both.

Commends the media for covering the deal with "respect."

"The people behind me are the greatest leaders, most powerful leaders, richest leaders the world has ever seen."

WH Travel pool note #31: leader signatures

Nations at the table who actually signed the documents were: Turkey, US, Egypt, Qatar.

POTUS final speech will start shortly.

WH Travel Pool Note #32

Final peace celebration program began at 7:48pm

Egyptian President is first to speak.

President Trump is standing beside him with a row of world leaders behind.

WH team was ushered in a few minutes after the start.

WH Travel Pool Note #32.5

Note: press was not given translation devices so I cannot send you notes on El-Sisi

WH Travel Pool Note #33: POTUS Speech starts

President Trump takes the podium at 7:58pm

WH Travel Pool Note #34: POTUS Speech highlights

Remarks concluded at 8: 28pm

Highlights:

"Together we have achieved what no one thought possible."
"Now the rebuilding begins." And says the rebuilding will maybe be "the easiest part."

Thanked Egypt for the F16 escort but said it "caught our people a little by surprise."

On Erdogan: "When they have a problem with you they always call me to handle it." But also praises him saying "he's always there."

Trump asks the PM of Pakistan to speak-

"Today is one of the greatest days in contemporary history." Calls Trump a "man of peace." He says he would like today to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.

POTUS remarked a few times that he's not sure why all the leaders behind him are standing there...(but called out Macron jokingly for sitting and taking a "low key approach")

He thanked every country, adding some color commentary to each. He thanked his team, and gave a shoutout to Ivanka.

"For the people do Gaza the hopes are on restoring a good life...These countries of great wealth have come forward today and I the last week to say they want to help."

"We have a free that we don't want to fund anything to do with bloodshed or terror."

WH Travel Pool Note 35

Motorcade rolling to airport at 8:42pm. 10min drive.

WH Travel Pool Note #36: Countries represented

Countries represented / attendees at the Middle East Peace Summit, per WH officials

Arab League Sec Gen
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Canada
Cyprus
Egypt
EU
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Netherlands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian Authority
Paraguay
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Turkey
UAE
UK
UN Secretary Gen
FIFA President
Tony Blair

WH Travel Pool Note #37: Departure

Motorcade arrived at airport at 8:50pm.

POTUS boarded AF1 at 8:52pm.

Consider this wheels up!

WH Travel Pool Note #38: Refueling

AF1 is refueling in UK. This should take approx 1.5hrs.

POTUS did not gaggle in the air. Nothing to report.

WH Travel Pool Note #39

POTUS about to gaggle

WH Travel Pool Note #40

POTUS gaggled for 15 minutes. Will transmit when wheels down, we are wheels up.

WH Travel Pool Note #41: POTUS gaggle

The President giggled for about 14 minutes right as the AF1 was taxing for take off (the gaggle slightly delayed departure).

He was asked if the peace can hold when he's no longer President:

"I can't answer it. I know this, and you are all witness, we go, and I get 25,000, 35,000. if you look at a normal president, we'll get 300 people, and that's not bad, you know? They'll go to a ballroom, they get 300 people, we get 35, we had 117,000 people in New Jersey. And so I can't tell you what's going to happen, but I'll be out there fighting for whoever it may be.

On his impromptu remarks about giving Bibi a pardon he said he didn't warn Bibi ahead of time:
"No, I told him I didn't want to bring up the pardon, but it was just a perfect spot. It was good timing. Wouldn't you say? He was getting a very good hand, and when they stopped, I said, "Why didn't you give this guy a pardon? If he didn't get a good hand, I wouldn't have done that." But the timing was right…// It's a little risque, you know, to bring it up a pretty sore subject in Israel, but the people were fantastic.

On crime in cities like Chicago and his message to Dem governors and mayors: "I want them to admit they have crime."

Will he use the Insurrection Act:
Well, I could use it if I wanted to, I could use it. Look, that's a very simple answer. I'm allowed to use the insurrection Act. In fact, that was on Stefopoulis today, is Slopadopoulos Show.
They asked Sloppy Kris Christy about the Insurrection Act. He said, "Well, if you're talking about the insurrection Act, he's got the absolute right to use that." And he said a couple of things and he said, 50% of the presidents that served in office have used the insurrection Act. And the insurrection Act, according to all of them, said, "I can't even be challenged. I'm not I don't have to go there yet because I'm winning on appeal. You know, you're right. We're losing with radical and left judges generally, radical left judges, and we're winning on appeal. So we'll see what happens.

His message to Governor Pritzker:
Trump: Well, I think he should beg for help, because he's running a bad operation, and he's letting people be killed in his city because he doesn't in Chicago. And I love Chicago. Chicago can be a great city again, and very quickly, I would have Chicago cleaned out, the criminals removed, we would remove them.

He was asked for updates on the shutdown and whether he'd have meetings with Republican leadership this week. He reiterated his message that it's about Democrats wanting to give healthcare to illegal immigrants. And said he talks to Thune and Johnson all the time.

He praised Bill Clinton for praising him on Gaza: "I've always gotten along with him… He used to be a friend of mine, came to my wedding, you know. So did she. A lot of people don't know that."

Asked about some states like Egypt wanting a two state solution he said: "They are talking about different plan. I'm talking about something very much different. We're talking about rebuilding Gaza....//I mean, a lot of people like the one State Solution, some people like the two state solutions. We'll have to see. I haven't commented on that…//I will decide what I think is right, but I'd be in coordination with other states and other other countries."

He bristled at a reporter's question about some people calling the declaration of peace in the Middle East premature.

He said Erdogan might be able to help with Russia. And added: "You know, when NATO has a problem with Erdogan, which they often do, they call me to talk to him, and I've never failed in working it out like immediately."

He confirmed Zelenskyy will be in the White House on Friday.

FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW:
Wasn't it amazing? Even that last meeting, when you see the heads of those countries, as, those are serious countries,. But it was I thought it was fantastic.
I thought– And seeing, though, I mean, the so called hostagesages with those kids come back home, the way their parents just went…just went crazy. Your father would not be that way with you.
It'd be okay, but he wouldn't be like that.

Reporter: I would get a hug.

Trump: A hug?
A minor hug, okay.. Let's go. No, he wouldn't.
I'm only kidding. So, uh, how are you doing? Everybody okay?

Reporter: How are you feeling?

Trump: I feel good, good.
It's a long day. It's a long day, and we live a couple of big ones. At first one was getting great reviews.
Yeah, we'll tell you. there's a lot of meat in there. been dissecting it and just playing it all night long. It's's been very good. I think it's it's a very important day.
It's nobody thought this was possible. Very good. And the press has been very respectful for a change.
Doesn't happen often. Go ahead, Peter. Let's go.

Reporter: What does it tell you about the world that it seems like you got a much better reception in Israel than you would get in, like, New York City right now.

I think I get a great reception in New York City.

Reporter: I'm not saying that you don't, but it was like it was on another level today.

Well, yeah, you're right. It was incredible, but I went to the Bronx, and we had 30, 311,000 people in a park in the Bronx in New York City during the campaign, 31,000, you remember that, and it was the friendliest grad you've ever seen. and very diverse, but it was friendly. I mean, New York is good, it's good.

Reporter: New York City, bad example, but it was, I don't know if you can see.

Are you admitting you made a mistake? I don't believe it. This is breaking news.

Reporter: No, first rules of politics Never admit a mistake. But it was in the motorcade, I don't knosw if you can see, there were people hanging out of every apartment balcony inside the Kneeset.

Okay, so I've heard, like, they said, if you did Russia or if you did, you know, lots of different combinations, they say the Middle East blows it away, and I said, Why? Experts say– It's just thousands of years, nothing's been done. It's a whole thing with the.
Arabs, Jewish people, this and everybody. It's just it's just never been done before. And there's a certain mystery to the Middle East.
I mean, look, it's only because of Redings, you know, you're only as good as the ratings, right? If they weren't getting ratings, your people at Fox and by the way, Trey is excellent.
We did it very quick interview. I was running to the second one where we were pretty late.

Rerporter: Something that we heard from some Israelis on the ground. They want to know how the piece holds when you are not the president. So, three years from now,

I can't answer it. I know this, and you are all witness, we go, and I get $25,000,35,000 if you look at a normal president, we'll get 300 people, and that's not bad, you know? They'll go to a ballroom, they get 300 people, we get 35, we had 117,000 people in New Jersey. And so I can't tell you what's going to happen, but I'll be out there fighting for whoever it may be..

Reporter: Did you tell Bibi beforehand that you were gonna go off script and –

No, I told him I didn't want to bring up the pardon, but it was just a perfect spot. It was good timing. Wouldn't you say? He was getting a very good hand, and when they stopped, I said, "Why didn't you give this guy a pardon? If he didn't get a good hand, I wouldn't have done that." But the timing was right what do you think, Katie?
Good timing for that one, right?

Reporter: I think people thought it was pretty funny.

Yeah, it was good.
It worked out well. It's a little risque, you know, to bring it up a pretty sore subject in Israel, but the people were fantastic.

Reporter: Mr. President, you spoke to –

Oh here we go you're gonna can ask more questions this one, yeah? Go ahead.

Reporter: I have some good questions.

You do, you were very nice today. Go ahead.

Reporter: You talked to President El-Sisi and you spoke about in that room how Egypt has a little crime, and you said, it's all about leadership. You talked about..

Well, they're very strongly crime.

Reporter: You talked about some of the governors.

You wouldn't believe her strong, but they are very strong, but they don't have the kind of crime. They don't have the violence.
They may have other kinds of crime, but they are a violent crime. You can actually walk down a park and not get mugged or hit over the head with a basement.

Reproter: Do you want to see some U.S. governors be more like Egypt?

No, I want them to be stronger and tougher and not allow us to have record breaking crime in Chicago in different places. I want them to admit they have crime, so there were 4,000 shootings in Chicago. murders over a fairly short period of time, meaning like a year and a half, I think, 4,000 murders. Many, many thousands of you're hit by a bullet, but don't die."
I want him to say we have a problem. Could Trump bring in the troops and solve the problem, like I did in D.C., like, I'm doing in Memphis? Have you seen the crimes way down in Memphis, and we've only been there seven days?
way down.

Reporter: The courts have been standing in your way here. It's held up..,
Trump: the lower courts.
Reporter: Are you thinkin about using the insurrection Act.
Trump:
Well, I could use it if I wanted to, I could use it. Look, that's a very simple answer. I'm allowed to use the insurrection Act. In fact, that was on Stefopoulis today, is Slopadopoulos Show.
They asked Sloppy Kris Christy about the Insurrection Act. He said, "Well, if you're talking about the insurrection Act, he's got the absolute right to use that." And he said a couple of things and he said, 50% of the presidents that served in office have used the insurrection Act. And the insurrection Act, according to all of them, said, "I can't even be challenged. I'm not I don't have to go there yet because I'm winning on appeal.
You know, you're right. We're losing with radical and left judges generally, radical left judges, and we're winning on appeal. So we'll see what happens.

Reporter: I'll be speaking to Governor J.B. Pritzker tomorrow. Do you have any messages or questions for him?

Trump: Well, I think he should beg for help, because he's running a bad operation, and he's letting people be killed in his city because he doesn't in Chicago. And I love Chicago. Chicago can be a great city again, and very quickly, I would have Chicago cleaned out, the criminals removed, we would remove them.

You know, in D.C., we took out 1,700 career criminals, hard line criminals. That's why you're so good right now. D.C setting records the other way.
It's never been so safe, and the restaurants have never done better business. They're opening up new They were closing restaurants, now they're opening new restaurants. I can do the same thing on a larger scale in Chicago.
And Pritkka should ask me to do it, but when you mention insur I mean, you were the one that mentioned one of you mentioned Insurrection Act? I mean, I could do that, and many presidents have. Do you 50%, Katie, 50% of the presidents have used the insurrection because they don't want to go through this stuff where somebody said, there's no crime in 4,000 people got shot.
You know, right? Maybe I'll have to use that? You don't have to convince because she's tends to be on the conservative side.

Reporter: Do you hae an update on the Schumer shut down the Democrats still continuing to...

Trump: Well, it is a Schumer shutdown. I mean, it's, look, they want to have health careare for illegals that have come in.
Many of these people are criminals, and they want to have healthcare. And what it also does is, you know, we have nobody coming in now. We haven't really locked out.
If they start winning cases like this, we're gonna have a …because they're going to come up for health care, and the other things that they're, well, look at this education, healthcare, gives everything away. People come up for that. People come from other countries for that, so we can't have it, we can't have that.
We have people coming into our country, but they're coming in legally.

Reporter: Do you have any more meetings?

We have the strongest board that we've ever had, but they are coming in, Katie.
They're coming in legally, through a process.

Reporter: Do you have any planned meetings with House and Senate leadership on the Republican side figure out this week?

I talk to them all the time, John's been great, and Mike has been great.
Those two guys have done a great job. But we're dealing with a bunch of radical left lunatics that have lost an election in a landslide that don't even admit that. I mean, think of it, they lost the election 2,700 in terms of counties to 525.
That's where the map is entirely, right. They lost all seven swing stes, they lost the popular vote, and then they say, "Oh, the election was closed." She says the ele election was a landslide, but they lie.
You know, they can take any subject like Newsome. He says, "Oh, no, Los Angeles is doing great." If we didn't go into Los Angeles, you would have had they would have had to cancel the Olympics.

And the head of law enforcement said, and he said it very strongly, "We could not have handled this if Trump didn't bring those people in." Two weeks later, he said, ", we could have," because he was told to say that. But we did a great job in Los Angeles.
You wouldn't have First of all, you lost half of it with the fires, and this would have been. I think this would have been maybe even worse. They had no control.
When we went in, they had the police had totally lost control. And he admitted it. The head, whoever he is, whatever his name is, he admitted it, very strongly.

Reporter:
What's your reaction to your President Bill Clinton giving you credit for ending the war on Gaza?

I like Bill Clinton. I've always gotten along with him.
He used to be a friend of mine, came to my wedding, you know. So did she. A lot of people don't know that.
But, uh, no, he's I've always liked him. I thought he was very nice, actually. And what is he doing?
He's telling the truth. Because nobody else has been able to do talking about the Middle East, yes.

Reporter: Mr. President, I wanted to ask you about your conversations with world leaders today. You said that everybody is unified over your plan, but we heard from President El-Sisi calling for a two state solution an independent Palestinian states.

They are talking about different plan. I'm talking about something very much different. We're talking about rebuilding Gaza. I'm not talking about single state or double state or two state. We're talking about, the rebuilding of Gaza.

Reporter: What's the road ahead of governing Gazaision?

I mean, a lot of people like the one State Solution, some people like the two state solutions. We'll have to see.
I haven't commented on that.

Reporter: How do you see bridging that? Because you have the Arab countries.

I will decide what I think is right, but I'd be in coordination with other states and other other countries.

Reporter: Some people might say, if it was a premature declaring peace for the whole Middle East, you know, 3,000 years a piece.

You want more people to be killed? What do you want another three, 400,000 people to be killed?
Is that what you're looking for?

Reporter: In terms of the risks in Gaza are you have already seen..

So, you mean let' fight on for another couple of years and lets a more buildings fall down on top of people and keep it going on we did it the right way.
We did it. I think our timing was perfect, actually. How many times You don't really mean that.
You mean you want them to fight on, right?

Reporter: I'm just asking about the phase issue of the negotiations and how confident you are that those can get underway in.

You know, we have a lot of power.
That was a power room. Those people, those are the richest countries. I think now with tariffs, I think we're the richest country in the world, actually, in the United States.

We're taking in hundreds of millions of dollars, but those are, you really seriously rich countries, and they can handle it.

Reporter: Some of those players are particularly Erdogan, but they also help in the war between Russia and Ukraine?

Yeah, Erdogan can. He's respected by Russia, Ukraine, I can't tell you about, but he is respected by Putin. And he's a friend of mine, you know, you can see. I get along with the tough ones.
I don't get along with the weak ones. I get along with the tough ones. I don't know what that is, but Erdogan's been great with me.
You know, when NATO has a problem with Erdogan, which they often do, they call me to talk to him, and I've never failed in working it out like immediately. Is that right?

Karoline Leavitt: It's true.

How's Karoline doing? Is she doing good? How you doing?

KL: Doing great.

Should Karoline be replaced?

REporter: That's up to you, sir.

It'll never heappen.

KL: Nobody wants to stick up for me. No, great.

Reporter. She's doing a great job.

KL: Thank you, Katie

And those lips, they move like a machine gun, right?

Reporter: you on the leaders you who are in that you think are weak?

No, I won't comment to that, but you know probably who they are. There were a couple in the room, but but overall, overall, I thought, that was an amazing group of people. I don't think they've ever seen an assemblance like that.

Between power money, you know, et cetera, et c. There's never been anything like that.

But you know what? I have to, because the plane is going to take off.

Reporter: Is Zelensky at the White House on Friday?

I think so, yeah. Yes.

WH Travel Pool Note #42

AF1 wheels down at 2:24am

WH Travel Pool Note #43: arrival and goodnight

POTUS deplaned at 2:35am at JBA.. He waved to press. He did not gaggle.

That's all from me! Thanks for bearing with me for this whirlwind. Handing off to in-town pool. Goodnight!

In-town pool report #1

Good evening,

Your in-town pooler is waiting for President Trump's arrival at the White House, expected around 2:50 a.m. Tuesday morning per the daily schedule.

In the meantime, the White House has passed along audio from a gaggle aboard AF1 during the second leg of his trip home.

Link to audio: https://youtube.com/live/Ouqvj5JMZ5U
Otter transcription: https://otter.ai/u/0MpGx9LweqgIofJd1YbPpsiqxUg?utm_source=copy_url

AF 1 Gaggle Highlights:

On the historic day: "A historic day, to put it mildly. Wasn't it amazing? Even that last meeting, when you see the heads of those countries. Those are serious countries right."

On the hostages being released: "Those kids come back home and the way their parents just went crazy."

On how the day was for him: "It's been very good. I think it's a important day, because nobody thought this was possible."

On his reception in the Middle East vs. at home: "I think I get a great reception in New York City. … I went to the Bronx and we had 31,000 people in a park in the Bronx in New York City during the campaign. 31,000 -- you remember that? And it was the friendliest crowd you've ever seen, and very diverse."

Will the peace hold when he is no longer president: "I can't tell you what's going to happen, but I'll be out there fighting for whoever it may be."

On urging the Netanyahu pardon: "Yes, it worked out well. It's a little risque, bringing up a pretty sore subject in Israel, but the people were fantastic."

Does he think U.S. governors should mimic Egypt in address crime: "No, I want them to be stronger and tougher and not allow us to have record-breaking crime in Chicago and different places. I want them to admit they have crime."

Does he need to use the Insurrection Act to address crime in the U.S.: "I don't have to go there yet, because I'm winning on appeal. … We're losing with radical left judges, generally radical left judges, and we're winning on appeal."

On meeting with GOP leaders RE government shutdown: "I talk to them all the time. John Thune has been great and Mike has been great – speaker, he's been great. Those two guys have done a great job, but we're dealing with a bunch of radical left lunatics that have lost an election in a landslide. They don't even admit that."

On Bill Clinton giving him credit for ending the Israel-Hamas war: "I've always gotten along with him. He used to be a friend of mine."

His thoughts on road ahead for governing Gaza: "A lot of people like the one-state solution. Some people like the two-state solutions. We'll have to see. I haven't commented on that."

On whether it's premature to declare peace:

He declined to comment on what leaders he thought were weak that were in the room with him: "There were a couple in the room, but overall I thought that was an amazing group of people."

In town pool report #2

Marine One touched down at about 2:53 a.m.POTUS pumped his fist toward the pool but did not say anything or take questions from the press upon his return to the White House. He walked in alone.

In town pool report #3 - Lid

The White House has called a lid. Good night/morning.