Pool Reports of April 12, 2025

Out of town report #1: Rolling from MAL

Good morning from Florida, where the president's motorcade was rolling from Mar-a-Lago at 8:51 a.m. Your pooler did not spot POTUS.

Out of town report #2: Golf club arrival

Motorcade arrived at Trump International Golf Club at 8:58 a.m. after an uneventful drive.

The president's vehicle and other SUVs in the motorcade turned onto the property while the pool vans peeled off. A few people were gathered on the sidewalk across the street from the golf club, including an Associated Press reporter.

Pool is now holding across the street at the library.

Out of town report #3: Rolling from golf

The president's motorcade departed from Trump International Golf Club at 3:07 p.m.

A single protester held a sign near the entrance that said, among other things, "We are not OK." A few Trump supporters stood across the street.

Also flagging this statement from the White House, which was shared widely earlier this afternoon:

STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE
"U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Oman Ana Escrogima, conducted talks today in Muscat with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Abbas Araghchi, which were hosted by Omani Foreign Minister Said Badr. The discussions were very positive and constructive, and the United States deeply thanks the Sultanate of Oman for its support of this initiative. Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr. Araghchi that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations' differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible. These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday."

Out of town report #4: MAL arrival and dinner lid

The president's motorcade arrived back at Mar-a-Lago at 3:15 p.m. after an uneventful drive.

The White House has called a dinner lid until 6:20 p.m.

Out of town report #5: Departing MAL

Motorcade was rolling from Mar-a-Lago at 7:54 p.m.

We are headed to the Palm Beach airport, then to Miami for tonight's UFC event.

Out of town report #6: Wheels up from Palm Beach

Motorcade pulled onto the runway at Palm Beach International airport at 8:02 p.m. President Trump boarded as pool was exiting the vans at about 8:05.

Others spotted traveling with the president include Elon Musk, FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and communications director Steven Cheung.

The plane is taxiing at 8:11 p.m. and should be wheels up momentarily for the short flight to Miami.

Out of town report #7: POTUS speaks, wheels down Miami

Air Force One was wheels up from PBI at 8:16 p.m. and wheels down in Miami at 8:39 p.m.

President Trump came back to the press cabin to speak with reporters for about three minutes on Iran talks, Russia talks, the Texas Senate primary and tariff exemptions.

"So we're going to the fight. We have lots of fights going around the world, and I think we have a lot of good news coming soon about some of those fights, and we'll see how it goes. But it's been a it's been an interesting weekend. I think we have some pretty good news coming on some of the conflicts."

On Iran: "I think they're going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done. So I don't like talking about it."

On Russia talks: "I think Ukraine-Russia might be going OK. And you're going to be finding out pretty soon. There's a point at which you have to either put up or shut up. We'll see what happens, but I think it's going fine."

Asked about tariffs exemptions for electronics and the possibility of upcoming semiconductor tariffs: "I'll give you that answer on Monday. We'll be very specific. But we're taking in a lot of money. As a country we're taking in a lot of money."

On Paxton v Cornyn: "They're both friends of mine. They're both good men. And I don't know. We don't know who else is running, but these two— Ken, John —they're both friends of mine. So I'll make a determination at the right time."

Noted in response to a separate question that inflation is down and immigration numbers are down at the border.

Out of town report #8: Rolling from airport

POTUS deplaned at 8:46 p.m. and waved at the pool before getting into his vehicle. He was followed off the plane by Elon Musk, who was carrying his son on his shoulders.

We are rolling to the Kaseya Center at 8:48 p.m.

Out of town report #9: Kaseya Center arrival

Motorcade arrived at the Kaseya Center at 9:08 p.m. for UFC 314. Pool did not see POTUS enter the building.

We are now holding in the media area.

Out of town report #10: Trump enters arena

President Trump entered the arena at 9:57 p.m. to much fanfare. The crowd roared when he appeared on the Jumbotron.

He was accompanied by Kai Trump and Dana White. He shook hands and gave high fives to fans as he walked to his seat at the side of the Octagon. A Kid Rock song played over the speakers.

Others seated in Trump's vicinity that your pooler spotted included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his wife, Cheryl Hines, Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel.

Trump approached Joe Rogan and the two shook hands and embraced.

The arena is mostly full, though there are some patches of open seats on the lower level here and there. Pool is positioned in the rafters overlooking the arena.

Out of town report #11: Pool on the move

Pool is headed back to the media room to hold as of 10:14 p.m. President Trump is still on the floor of the arena.

YMCA played over the speakers at one point and the Jumbotron cut to President Trump doing his signature dance. The crowd, which continues to fill in ahead of the main card, cheered. Sen. Ted Cruz was also seen standing near the president.

Out of town report #12: Arena color

Pool was able to watch some of the action on television screens in the media room. 

At one point, fighter Dominick Reyes walked over to the side of the Octagon after winning his bout and acknowledged President Trump. After his post-fight interview, he went to take a photo with the president.

A group of four members of the pool were then able to return to the media area in the rafters of the arena. From there we were able to watch the bout between Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva.

From there, Trump could be seen frequently leaning over to his left to talk with Musk. Musk's young son was seated on his lap. Trump would occasionally lean over to his right to speak with Dana White. After Silva won his fight, he climbed atop the fence near where POTUS was sitting, sat on top of it and appeared to point in Trump's direction.

Your pooler is headed back to the media room holding space as of 11:05 p.m.

Out of town report #13: Departing arena

Pool is moving to vans at 1:13 a.m. after the final fight of the night wrapped up.

Photographers were able to re-enter the arena for the final three fights of the evening, while the rest of the pool watched from the media room.  We did not have eyes on POTUS, other than when he was visible in broadcast shots with his gold tie.

At one point the broadcast highlighted some notable attendees, showing Rubio, RFK Jr. and Gabbard on the screen. At another point the broadcast showed Sen. Cruz and then Trump, who was still seated next to Musk. At one point POTUS could be seen shaking hands with someone between fights. At another he could be seen talking with Musk.

Two other individuals who greeted POTUS earlier in the night- Shaquille O'Neal and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.

Out of town report #14: Rolling from arena

The motorcade is rolling from Kaseya Center at 1:24 a.m. Pool was already loaded into vans and did not see POTUS enter his vehicle.

Out of town report #15: Miami departure

Motorcade arrived at the Miami airport at 1:42 a.m. Hundreds of people were gathered outside the arena watching as the motorcade pulled away.

POTUS had already boarded by the time the pool got out of the vans and up to the plane.

Air Force One is taxiing at 1:54 a.m. and should be wheels up momentarily for the short return flight to Palm Beach.

Out of town report #16: PBI return, brief POTUS remarks

Air Force One was wheels up in Miami at 1:59 a.m. and wheels down in Palm Beach at 2:18 a.m. 

President Trump spoke to reporters for about 3 minutes right before we landed about the fights and about the visit of the El Salvador president on Monday. Kai Trump also joined briefly to share her thoughts on the UFC event.

"Every one of them came up at the end, and they were great," the president said of the UFC fighters. "I mean, they're all warriors, modern day warriors."

Asked what he wants to achieve with the Bukele visit, and if he has any concerns about the El Salvador prison there where deportees are being held:
"No, I think he's doing a fantastic job. And he's taking care of a lot of problems that we have that we really wouldn't be able to take care of from cost standpoint. And he's doing really, he's been amazing. We have some very bad people in that prison. People that should have never been allowed into our country."

Trump brought in his granddaughter, Kai- "You know the fake news? We're just doing a little news conference," he said. He praised Kai as a great athlete and a great student.

Kai Trump said she thought the UFC event was "awesome." She said it was her second UFC fight.

The president called it a "great honor" to receive an ovation when he entered the arena. "It says we're doing a good job. If we weren't doing a good job, we'd get the opposite."

President Trump deplaned at 2:35. He was followed by Kai Trump and by Elon Musk, who once again had his son on his shoulders.

Motorcade is rolling from the Palm Beach airport at 2:37 a.m.

Out of town report #17: MAL return and lid

The president's motorcade arrived back at Mar-a-Lago at 2:47 a.m.

The White House called a lid at 2:49 a.m. Goodnight/good morning.