Pool Reports of January 24, 2025

WH in-town pool report #1/ Pool gathers

Greetings from the White House on another chilly day. Pool and other media have gathered at the Palm Room doors for POTUS’s departure to Joint Base Andrews, which is open press.

WH in-town pool report #2/ POTUS appears

POTUS emerged from the south portico at 9.10am and took some questions from a big media contingent. He said he was "very surprised" by Senators Collins and Murkowski voting against Pete Hegseth. POTUS boarded Marine One at 9.13am. More to follow.

WH in-town pool report #3/ Marine One liftoff

Marine One lifted off from the south lawn at 9.16am, heading for JBA.

WH in-town pool report #4/ POTUS's comments on south lawn

Wearing a long dark coat and white shirt with open collar, POTUS spoke to reporters on the south lawn for about two and a half minutes.

He said: "Hello everybody, thank you very much. We're going to North Carolina. It's been a horrible thing the way that's been allowed to fester and we're going to get it fixed up. It should have been done months ago from the hurricane that took place almost four months ago. North Carolina's been treated very badly so we're stopping there.

"And we're going to then go to Los Angeles and take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they let the water flow but they didn't let the water flow and they still haven't, for whatever reason. So I think we're going to have a very interesting time. I think many of you are going with us. If you'd like to have a ride on the plane, we'd love to give it to you."

A reporter asked: "Mr President, why did you invite Adam Schiff on your trip if you called him scum?"

POTUS replied: "I don't know. Is he going? Is he going? I don't know. I mean, I really don't know. You know, if he's going to be there it would be cheaper but I didn't invite him. Somebody did."

There was a question about Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth's confirmation process.

POTUS said: "Look, whatever it is, it is. He's a good man. I don't know what's going to happen. You never know with those things but Pete's a very, very good man. I hope he makes it. I hope he makes it. But I was very surprised that Collins and Murkowski would do that. And of course Mitch is always a no vote, I guess. Is Mitch a no vote? How about Mitch? Huh? You what? Let's see what happens."

POTUS was asked about today's March for Life in Washington. "We look forward to seeing it. I'm going to be watching it and JD Vance, our vice-president, is there and he's going to be representing us very well. It's taking place in a little while and, other than being a little bit cold, it's a beautiful day."

He added: "As you know I just signed a pardon and, in the pardon, we released 23 people that were unjustly put in having to do with pro-life. And they will be released and they'll be out very shortly. It was disgraceful what happened. That was a persecution."

A reporter asked if POTUS will give Italy a break on tariffs. He replied: "Well, I like her very much. Let's see what happens. Have a good time."

POTUS then walked to Marine One.

Thanks to CNN for the help with audio.

Travel pool report #1: JBA

Marine One landed at JBA at 09:24

POTUS stepped out of M1 salutes his greeters and then walked straight to AF1 offering a clenched fist salute to the pool on his way with a gloved hand. He waved from the top of the steps. (The big steps.)

Karoline Leavitt, in warm hat and shades was with him

Wheels up imminently

As you've seen we now have official guidance for this trip: headed to Asheville, NC, then LA and finally Las Vegas.

We are on big AF1 tail number 29000.

As I was saying... By a quirk of fate, I was your final pooler of Trump 1.0. So what could possibly go wrong today?

Travel pool report #1a: correction

Apologies - that was Melania alongside Trump

Karoline Leavitt and Dan Scavino are also traveling

Travel pool report #2: Asheville gaggle

AF1 was wheels up from JBA at 09:39.

Wheels down Asheville, NC, 10:51 after an uneventful flight with no visitors.

POTUS and FLOTUS emerged into the crisp air at 11:03. POTUS raised his fist and the two also paused and waved on the way down.

Bill Lee, gov of Tennessee, was on the tarmac to greet him. Along with RNC chair Michael Whatley and NC Gov Josh Stein,

POTUS came to gaggle for about 7 min with FLOTUS at his side

'its terrible.' on NC devastion.

'We're going to fix it and we're going to fix it as fast as we can'

'I don't know if it's Biden fault '

'But we're going to take over.'

Said he liked the idea where the governors took over for response

'We're looking at the whole concept of Fema'

'Fema has really let us down and the country'

'I'd like to see the states take over.'

Said again he said he was disappointed in Biden's response

'We're going to make up for lost time.'

And said he would ask Congress for more money for NC reconstruction.

Also took questions on Ukraine and deportations. Otter to follow.

POTUS climbed into SUV while pool hustled to the first event.

We are expecting a briefing first and then a tour.

Travel pool report #3: Greets crowd

POTUS and FLOTUS spent a few minutes greeting a crowd of about 50 fans.

He told them he was here to solve their problems: 'should have been done a long time ago'

'Melania you look beautiful,' shouted one woman before the first couple worked their way along the line.

NSA Mike Waltz and chief of staff Suzy Wiles watched.

Greetings ended at 11:26 and pool hustled to hangar for briefing. U-shaped table is set up in front of a dept of public safety truck. Pic attached

Plus Otter of POTUS gaggle

https://otter.ai/u/6hfInRLMALJGxG5EgK1_VtH5j9Y@

Travel pool report #4: Disaster briefing and questions

POTUS and FLOTUS entered briefing at 11:34, taking seats at head of the table in front of dept of public safety truck, which is limey yellowy green and grey.

Spotted: Natalie Harp and Walt Nauta. Fans asked Suzy Wiles for pics.

POTUS starts with introductory remarks. I hope you are getting a stream for this as it is coming thick and fast.

Otter - https://otter.ai/u/JTk6yTK8YUr4OlkA8gJbV9CUpRU

(We have slow network - so there may we'll be some lag)

'One of the reasons we won so convincingly was our promise to get North Carolina fixed up.'

'We just appreciate the outpouring of love here.'

'We are very disappointed in Fema. We're going to work together with the governor..'

Said he'll put Michael Whatley in charge of making sure 'everything goes well'

Introduced people around the table ( we aren't getting lists of names from WH - so this is incomplete and needs to be checked)

Rep Chuck Edwards

Virginia Fox

Pat Harrigan

Dustin Hall NC speaker

Brendan Jones, house maj leader

Dudley Green

State senators

'Biden did a very bad job. Some residents still don't have clean drinking water.'

'Fema turned out to be a disaster.'

'i think we're going to recommend that FEMA go away.'

'the states should fix this'

Says he knows Asheville well and it will 'be a great place again'

In four days 'you've seen more action than you have in three months'

Invites questions - is asked if there'll be an EO on Fema.

'FEMA has been a very big disappointment. They cost a great deal of money, it's very bureaucratic, it's very slow. Other than that we're very happy with it.'

On Schiff - said he saw him on TV and he looked likee he'd been hit by a bat

'i think he wanted to come with me on the plane.' but he stayed back because of votes

Fauci security detail question:

'you can't have it forever'

Said he wouldn't feel responsible if anything happened.

On tariffs

'id love to see Canada be the 51st state ... You'd have much better health coverage. The people of Canada would like that.'

Wraps up at 11:57.

'Were going to the site now.'