Pool Reports of June 29, 2024

Out-of-Town Pool Report #1: motorcade rolling

Good morning from New York City.

The motorcade started rolling to LGA at 12:01

Pool has not yet seen POTUS this morning

Out-of-Town Pool Report #2: LGA arrival

The motorcade arrived at LGA at 12:18 p.m.

POTUS and FLOTUS boarded AF1 at 12:22 as pool was getting out of the vans.

Pool spotted Mike Donilon and Jeffrey Katzenberg boarding the plane.

We are on the smaller plane so will lose service but we should be wheels up shortly.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Air Force One en route to Francis S. Gabreski Airport:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Jen Daskal, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Traveling with the President and the First Lady via motorcade:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out-of-Town Pool Report #3: Gabreski Airport arrival

AF1 touched down at Gabreski Airport at 12:57.

POTUS and FLOTUS walked down the steps at 1:05. He waved to the press and did not respond to a question about whether he would drop out of the race. It is unclear whether he heard the question.

They boarded M1 at 1:06 and are joined by two of their grandchildren, Finnegan Biden and Natalie Biden.

Pool is heading to the helos.

Out-of-Town Pool Report #4: East Hampton Arrival

M1 touched down at East Hampton Airport at 1:26 p.m.

POTUS and FLOTUS and their grandchildren walked off at 1:31, and the first couple entered the Beast.

Motorcade rolling to closed press reception at 1:36.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to the Town of East Hampton Airport:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady

Out-of-Town Pool Report #5: campaign meeting

The motorcade arrived on a residential street in East Hampton at 1:49 p.m. This event is closed press, and pool is holding in the garage of the home.

According to public records, the house is owned by Avram and Jill Glazer.

The motorcade passed throngs of people, lining the streets of East Hampton during the drive from the airport. Your pool spotted one person holding a Biden-Harris campaign sign and another person with a handmade sign that read, "You got this, Joe. When you get knocked down, you get back up."

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

The President and the First Lady are participating in a campaign meeting

Out-of-Town Pool Report #6: motorcade rolling

The motorcade started rolling at 2:41 p.m. We are headed to a campaign fundraiser

Out-of-Town Pool Report #7: arrival at fundraiser

The motorcade arrived at a private home in East Hampton for the fundraiser at 2:44 p.m.

Just before arriving, the motorcade passed a group of people holding signs that read, "Please drop out for U.S.," "Thank you next" "Step down for democracy" and "We love you but it's time"

Out-of-Town Pool Report #8: POTUS photo line

Pool is holding in a living room connected to the main house and has been given shoe covers and instructed to wear them.

POTUS is currently participating in a photo line

The house is owned by Barry and Lizanne Rosenstein, who are co-hosts of the fundraiser

From the White House:

Participating in a photoline with the President and the First Lady:

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)
Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10)
Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03)

Out-of-Town Pool Report #9: POTUS remarks + motorcade rolling

POTUS and FLOTUS entered at 3:37 p.m. POTUS starting speaking at 3:44. More quotes coming shortly and as always check against transcript.

POTUS said "voters had a different reaction" to the debate. He said that he converted undecided voters and then mentioned the NYT editorial saying he should drop out but he said the outlet also noted that Trump lied throughout the debate.

"I didn't have a great night but neither did Trump," he said.

"That's not a hard fight," he said when referencing his oft-repeated phrase to not compare him to the almighty but to the alternative.

POTUS repeated his recent refrain about his struggles with debating and talking but not with the truth.

"Donald Trump is a genuine threat," he said.

"I still believe this nation is honest and decent," he said, adding, "Donald Trump will destroy democracy. I will defend it."

"I promise you we're gonna win this election," he said at the end.

POTUS wrapped at 3:52 and pool was pulled to the motorcade. Motorcade rolling at 3:58.

FLOTUS spoke before POTUS and retold the story of their engagement and reaffirmed Biden's ability to do the job.

"Joe isn't just the right person for the job," she said. "He's the only person for the job."

The hosts of the event included Barry and Lizanne Rosenstein, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan (who were not in attendance), Stacey and Eric Mindich and Nicole and Michael Fox

Pool spotted Anthony Scaramucci, Trump's former comms director, in the audience. John Avalon, who recently won the Democratic primary in NY-1, was also in attendance.

Lizanne Rosentein spoke first:

"He's a role model for what it is to get knocked down over and over and over again and get up and prove that he can exceed expectations and change the world."

"We can waste time comparing "debate nights," but it's more meaningful to compare presidencies."

The event was held outside in a tent with roughly 200 people and a small stage in front.

Speaking Program
Lizanne Rosenstein, Introducer
The First Lady
The President

From the White House:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

The President and the First Lady are participating in a campaign reception.

Speaking Program
Lizanne Rosenstein, Introducer
The First Lady
The President

Out-of-Town Pool Report #10: Departure from East Hampton Airport

Motorcade arrived at East Hampton Airport at 4:10. Pool did not see POTUS board AF1 and is headed to the Ospreys.

Wheels up back to the airport shortly.

From WH

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to Francis S. Gabreski Airport:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady

Out-of-Town Pool Report #11: Departure from NY

M1 landed at 4:33.

POTUS, FLOTUS and their grandchildren walked off at 4:38. Mike Donilon trailed behind them.

POTUS ignored a question about whether he has any plans to drop out.

He boarded AF1 at 4:39 and we expect to wheels up to NJ shortly.

Will send additional quotes from the fundraiser when we land.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Air Force One en route to McGuire Air Force Base:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Jen Daskal, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out-of-Town Pool Report #12: NJ Arrival

AF1 was wheels down at McGuire Air Force Base at 5:19 p.m.

POTUS and FLOTUS, followed by their granddaughters, walked down the steps of AF1 at 5:39. They greeted the officials listed below and then walked over to M1. POTUS held Finnegan’s hand as they walked and they boarded at 5:42.

Pool was ushered away to the ospreys before M1 took off.

From the WH:

Greeting the President and the First Lady upon arrival to McGuire Air Force Base:

Colonel Anthony L. Smith, Commander, Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst and 87th Air Base Wing and his spouse, Denise Smith
Colonel William G. Soto, Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst and 87th Air Base Wing and his spouse, Brittany Soto

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to Fort Monmouth Landing Zone:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff

Out-of-Town Pool Report #13: Additional fundraiser quotes

Here are some additional quotes from POTUS at his fundraiser in East Hampton with thanks to Politico's Lauren Egan for transcription assistance.

At the start of his remarks, POTUS called out to the three members of Congress in the audience and said, "No way out, huh?" The three then all gave him a thumbs up.

"I understand the concern about the debate — I get it," he said. "I didn't have a great night."

He continued: "Voters had a different reaction. Since the debate, the polls show a little movement, moved us up actually."

"We converted more undecided voters than Trump did especially on January 6, who's fighting for the working class, the middle class. And by the way, The Times had their editorial and guess what? They also point out he lied 28 times in a matter of 90 minutes. It's pretty good. The big takeaway were his lies. People remembered how bad things were during his presidency, how much they disliked him."

When criticizing Trump for calling veterans "suckers and losers," POTUS said Trump "wouldn't go to the cemetery" in Italy, confusing it for France. He then repeated the error when he was talking about his son, saying he was one of those soldiers "not in Italy, but in Iraq."

He continued painting Trump unfit for office, saying, "40 out of his 44 top advisers in his administration refused to endorse him."

Out-of-Town Pool Report #14: Fort Monmouth Landing Zone arrival

M1 landed at Fort Monmouth Landing Zone at 6:09 p.m.

POTUS, followed by FLOTUS and his grandchildren, stepped off at 6:12 and walked to the Beast.

Motorcade rolling at 6:15

Out-of-Town Pool Report #15: arrival at fundraiser

The motorcade arrived at the home of NJ Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy in Red Bank at 6:37 p.m.

During the drive, pool spotted multiple people giving the middle finger to the motorcade as well as people holding Biden-Harris signs.

Out-of-Town Pool Report #16: POTUS remarks

POTUS started speaking at 6:50 and gave largely similar remarks to his earlier fundraiser in the Hamptons. POTUS was difficult to hear at times so please check the transcript.

"There are incredible leaders in New Jersey," he said, shouting out Gov. Murphy and Rep. Frank Pallone, who was in the audience.

"It wasn't my best debate ever as Barack pointed out," Biden said.

"I understand the concern after the debate," he said. "I get it. I didn't have a great night, but I'm going to be fighting harder"

He then repeated the line that voters had a different view of the debate than the pundits and said, "Research during the debate shows us converting more undecided voters than Trump did, in large part because of his conduct on January 6."

He argued Trump's lies were the biggest takeaway: "People remember the bad things during his presidency"

"I didn't have a great night but neither did he," he said again of Trump.

As he near the end, POTUS said he had a "helluva lot of plans for the next four years — God willing."

POTUS concluded his remarks at 7:00 pm.

Gov. Phil Murphy introduced POTUS and said, "This is personal for us," as he discussed working with Biden when Murphy was ambassador to Germany.

"No one has ever won betting against America," and said Biden is the prime example "of what it's like to be an American."

"You're on fire and we are all with you 1,000 percent," he said to Biden.

Murphy introduced POTUS as "America's comeback kid"

Tammy Murphy spoke first and announced they raised $3.7 million for the fundraiser.

"People wanted to come on Friday morning," she said.

The fundraiser was held in a tent on the back patio of the house, overlooking the Navesink River. About 50 people were in attendance.

POTUS attended a fundraiser at Murphy's house in October 2022. At that event, attendees included Jon Bon Jovi.

Pool is now holding in a guest house.

From the White House:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

The President and the First Lady are participating in a campaign reception.

Out-of-Town Pool Report #17: Motorcade rolling

The motorcade started rolling from Gov. Murphy's house at 8:39.

Out-of-Town Pool Report #18: departure from Fort Monmouth Landing Zone

Motorcade arrived at Fort Monmouth Landing Zone at 9:01.

POTUS followed FLOTUS and his granddaughters onto M1 at 9:03. Pool is headed to the ospreys

From the WH

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to McGuire Air Force Base:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady

Out-of-Town Pool Report #19: background gaggle with Biden official on POTUS schedule and NBC story

A Biden official spoke briefly to the pool on the tarmac of McGuire Air Force Base about POTUS schedule and an NBC story that just posted.

"The premise of the story is not accurate," the official said.

On the travel to Camp David, "It was public in our guidance before the debate. It's been on the schedule for weeks. There is nothing more to it."

Officials said the Biden family is taking a family photo at Camp David.

Out-of-Town Pool Report #20: arrival at McGuire Air Force Base

M1 touched down at McGuire Air Force Base at 9:33.

POTUS, sans suit jacket, walked off M1 at 9:36, talking on the phone. His granddaughter, Finnegan, was wearing his suit jacket.

He hung up the phone shortly before boarding and then walked up the stairs at 9:37.

We should be wheels up to Hagerstown shortly.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Air Force One en route to Hagerstown Regional Airport:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Jen Daskal, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out-of-Town Pool Report #21: Hagerstown arrival + motorcade to Camp David

AF1 landed at 10:38.

POTUS, FLOTUS and their granddaughters walked off the plane at 10:45.

He did not respond to shouted questions about what he plans to discuss with his family this weekend.

POTUS entered the Beast and we are motorcading to Camp David because of bad weather.

From earlier, POTUS appeared to be talking on the phone with Jon Meacham, per images captured by pool photographers

Out-of-Town Pool Report #22: Camp David arrival

The motorcade arrived at Camp David at 11:24. Pool did not exit the vans or see POTUS.

That concludes this three day, five-state swing. Thanks to the rest of the pool for their assistance throughout the trip. Have a good rest of the weekend.