Pool Reports of June 26, 2025

In-town pool note 1, June 26 - lunch lid

Good morning from the White House, where we now have a lunch lid until 12:30 pm.

Pooler has inquired about any additional events, and WH is only tracking the briefing set for 1 and the "One Big, Beautiful Event" in the East Room at 4pm.

In-town pool note 2 - two minute warning

WH has announced a two-minute warning on the briefing.

In-town pool note 3 -- gathering

Pool is gathering along with pre-credentialed media for the East Room event.

In town pool note 4 - East room

Pool got ushered into the East Room and is awaiting the event. 

Johnson was spotted chatting with Brooke Rollins and McMahon. 

Then Bessent and Bondi joined the speaker. Witkoff is here as well.  Also HUD's Turner and Doug Collins. Homan got a seat in the front row. 

Rubio was speaking to Hegseth in an animated chat. Much of the cabinet is here. 

Hegseth is now seated and Burgum and Rubio. 

Bernie Moreno and Mike Lee also here. 

Band started with Miles Davis, then brought things down after guests arrived on stage wearing various hard hats and uniforms. 

Event is open press but pool will keep an eye out for color.

In town pool note 5 - potus speaks

POTUS entered the room to "Hail to the Chief" at 4:19. Event is underway.

In town pool note 6

POTUS wrapped at 5:02. 

He did not respond to shouted questions about the China deal he referenced or what evidence he has about who is the leaker. 

He took a quick question on the way out about whether Congress will be able to finish the bill by July 4. 

"We hope so," he replied. 

A few moments that might not have been picked up on camera:

When he asked McMahon how much we were getting out of Harvard, she replied: "A lot."

When Homan went on a tear about illegal immigration and immediately sat down, Trump got his biggest laugh when he quipped: "He got so angry he didn't shake my hand and look at me."

When Trump spoke about a mother only to find she wasn't on stage behind him, a woman in the audience told him she thought the woman had taken her daughter to the bathroom. 

The woman got a warm welcome upon returning, at which time her seemingly mortified daughter hid behind her sister's hair. 

"I won't ask you where you've been," Trump quipped. 

Pool did not have any opportunity to interact with the many cabinet members who were around. 

Seeking names and spellings of people potus acknowledged in his remarks.

In-town pool note 7 - lid

We have a travel / photo lid.