Pool Reports of February 3, 2025

Pool Report 1/Heading to Oval

The pool is heading into the Oval Office.

Pool Report 2/Oval spray

The pool entered the Oval Office at 12:44. Rupert Murdoch and Larry Ellison were to the side of the room.

President Trump began by signing documents affirming foreign envoy appointments, including Witkoff, Kellogg and Grenell.

He then signed an EO directing the Treasury and Commerce secretaries to take steps toward creating a sovereign wealth fund.

Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick gave very brief comments on that, with Lutnick saying it would be "amazing."

Trump said TikTok might be partially owned by the sovereign wealth fund.

On Musk/DOGE, Trump said Musk won't do anything without his approval and "he reports in."

On tariffs, Trump said "we had a great talk with Mexico" and said the deployment of 10k troops by Mexico to the border will be permanent, but that tariffs are not totally off the table amid negotiations during the monthlong delay.

He gave no indication of a breakthrough with Canada, but expects another "good conversation" with Trudeau this afternoon.

He said he was speaking with senators on pending nominations and made remarks on the Panama Canal that mirrored prior comments. He said there would be a phone call Friday.

"We made a lot of progress on Russia-Ukraine," he also said without going into details.

He expressed an interest in acquiring Ukrainian rare earth in exchange for US aid.

Please check the playback for full quotes.

The pool was taken out at 1:19.

Pool Report 3/Delay

The Florida Panthers event has been delayed slightly to 330, with a 315 gather time for pre-credentialed press.

Potentially explaining the delay, President Trump is expected to speak with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau at 3.

Pool Report 4/Gather

The pool and pre-credentialed press have gathered for the Panthers event.

Pool Report 5/Karoline Leavitt gaggle

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt gaggled on the driveway. The footage is here: https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/white-house-press-secretary-speaks-to-reporters/655306

Pool Report 6/Trump arrives

President Trump entered the East Room at 3:58.

Please tune into C-SPAN or the White House YouTube feed for full quotes.

Some Florida members of Congress are here, including Byron Donalds, Rick Scott and Jared Moskowitz.

Pool Report 7/Trump exit and Trudeau remark

President Trump recounted the Panthers' exploits in defeating the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup, saying he would bring the team to the Oval Office afterwards for photos.

Trump kept his remarks to sports and didn't say anything about his call before the event with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau.

At 4:17, Trump told Kaitlan Collins on his way out that his call with Trudeau was "very good." Asked if he would still impose tariffs on Canada, he said "watch."