Pool Reports of December 6, 2025

WH in-town pool report #1

Good afternoon from the White House!

I will be your pooler today. 

POTUS has two events on his schedule:

The president will participate in a Kennedy Center Honors medal presentation in the Oval Office. The event is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. EST. (It will be live-streamed on the WH socials.)

Then, at 8:10 p.m. EST, the president is scheduled to attend the Kennedy Center Honors medal presentation dinner at the State Department.

WH in-town pool report #2 - Oval meeting

Pool is gathering for Oval Office event.

WH in-town pool report #3

As pool waits to enter the Oval office, the song "I will survive" by Kennedy Center honoree Gloria Gaynor, played loudly outside of the paved Rose Garden.

The songs "I was made for Lovin' you" by KISS, also a Kennedy Center honoree, and "The winner takes it all" by ABBA were also played.

WH in-town pool report #4 - medal presentation

Pool entered the Oval Office at 5:25 p.m. 

In Oval, POTUS, dressed in a tuxedo, gave remarks behind a lectern. He stood by Kennedy Center honorees George Strait, Michael Crawford, Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone and members of the rock band KISS.

"This is perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled," the president said. 

The president presented each one of them with medallions with navy-blue straps and gold discs that depicted a sketch of the Kennedy Center building surrounded by rainbow colors.

During the event, POTUS talked about the renovations at the Kennedy Center. 

"We are making something really special," he said. "It's been mistreated, a little bit like the White House has been mistreated to be honest with you, and we are bringing it back to a level that I don't think any place in the country will see." 

Other color from the Oval - the FIFA peace prize was sitting on his desk. 

POTUS took no questions from the pool.

Pool began filing out at 5:36 p.m

WH in-town pool report #5 -dinner lid
[APP Note: This is the first of two reports numbered '5'.]

Dinner lid until 7:35 p.m.

WH in-town pool report #5 - dinner gathering
[APP Note: This is the second of two reports numbered '5'.]

Pool has been called to gather for the Kennedy Center Honors dinner.

(Dinner lid ended early)

WH in-town pool report #6 - loading

The pool loaded into the vans at 7:10 p.m. 

Your pooler didn't see POTUS, but did see people inside the Oval Office while walking toward the vans. Unclear who those individuals were. 

Music continued to play outside. This time it was The Beach Boys' "god only knows."

Other color - there was some construction activity in the South Lawn. 

Awaiting departure to the dinner.

WH in-town pool report #7 - rolling

The motorcade began rolling at 7:27 p.m. 

A note on Oval Office sighting: WH spokesman Steven Chung posted on social media at 7:11 p.m. that Trump was in the Oval Office working. 

https://x.com/StevenCheung47/status/1997458979405054328

WH in-town pool report #8 - arrival

Motorcade arrived at the State Department at 7:31 pm.

WH in-town pool report #9 - dinner

POTUS entered the Benjamin Franklin ballroom at the State Department at 7:40 p.m. 

The president got a two-minute standing ovation as the song "God bless the USA" played. POTUS then sat down at his table, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick came to say hello.  

Secretary Marco Rubio and Ric Grenell gave the opening remarks. Grenell told the crowd that POTUS "saved the Kennedy Center" and said the center "just brought in $23 million for the Kennedy Center Honors tomorrow."

POTUS took the stage at 7:53 p.m. 

Trump talked about renovations at the Kennedy Center and the White House. 

"We're bringing the White House back, room by room," he said. Later he compared the renovations as "saving the heritage of our country."

Trump said renovations have included replacing flooring with marble, adding "the marble job is going to cost $59 million." (Please check if this was for WH ballroom or Kennedy Center)

In his remarks, POTUS also talked about Washington being "safe again," sending troops to New Orleans, border security and the White House being the backdrop of the UFC. 

The president praised the Kennedy Center honorees in the room: Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer, Sylvester Stallone and George Strait.

"Tomorrow me pay tribute to them magnificently," Trump said. He said he was a "true fan" of them. 

Other attendees of note included: Monica Crowley, Steven and Katie Miller and Tiffany Trump.

There were about 200 people in the ballroom. 

POTUS wrapped up his remarks at 8:31 p.m.and pool was ushered out of the room.

WH in-town pool report #10 - departure

The pool is loading into the vans to depart the State Department.

On the way to the vans, your pooler spotted POTUS mingling with guests in the ballroom. Sighting was at 9:12 p.m

WH in-town pool report #11 - rolling

The motorcade began rolling at 10:17 p.m.

WH in-town pool report #12 - arrival and lid!

Motorcade arrived at the White House at 10:21 pm. 

Your pooler did not see POTUS upon arrival. 

And we have a lid. 

Good night all!