Pool Reports by Meridith McGraw, POLITICO
| Sent: | Reports: |
| March 17, 2020 09:34 |
WH Pool Report #1 - Good morning, briefing now at 11:30a Good morning from the White House on this dreary and quiet St. Patrick's Day in Washington. Once again, reporters and White House staff had their temperatures taken before passing through the Northwest gate today and we're trying our best to adhere to social distancing recommendations by spacing out seats in the briefing room. Please note an updated 11:30am timing for the Coronavirus Task Force press briefing. The president does not have any open events on his schedule (copied below) but I'll keep you posted on any and all changes… 9:30AM: THE PRESIDENT participates in a phone call with Restaurant Executives on COVID-19 Response 2:00PM: THE PRESIDENT meets with Tourism Industry Executives on COVID-19 Response 3:30PM: THE PRESIDENT participates in a phone call with Supply Retailers and Wholesalers on COVID-19 Response 4:30PM: THE PRESIDENT meets with the Secretary of State |
| March 17, 2020 10:58 |
WH Pool Report #2 - Restaurant Execs call From Judd Deere – Today, President Donald J. Trump spoke by telephone with restaurant executives representing hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans about the response to COVID-19. The executives thanked President Trump and his Administration for the whole-of-government response and for his efforts to ensure the public has the most accurate and up-to-date information. The President reminded the restaurants that they can help flatten the curve and slow the spread of this virus in communities across the country by encouraging their customers to use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options. All of the executives committed their restaurants to this critical guideline and assured the President they fully intend to continue feeding their communities through these other innovative avenues. President Trump thanked the participants for moving quickly to implement this change and agreed to stay in close communication on this public-private partnership to protect our businesses and the public. The following participated in the call: Trump Administration External Participants |
| March 17, 2020 11:40 |
WH Pool Report #3 - Coronavirus Task Force briefing beginning The briefing is beginning now. Attendees across the briefing room stage include: |
| March 17, 2020 14:08 |
WH Pool Report #4 - Pool called Pool was just called, presumably for the President's meeting with Tourism Industry Executives on COVID-19 Response. The pool is having to get our temperature taken before going into the meeting. More TK. |
| March 17, 2020 14:11 |
WH Pool Report #5 - Tourism meeting participants Waiting to go into meeting. From Judd Deere — President Trump and Vice President Pence will meet with tourism industry executives, including hotel chains, theme parks, and travel associations. The industry plays a vital role in the safety of the traveling public, their guests, and their employees. The President will discuss the federal government's whole-of-government response to COVID-19 and ways the Administration can continue to partner with the industry to keep Americans safe and healthy. The following individuals are expected to attend: The White House President Donald J. Trump Trump Administration Secretary Wilbur Ross, Department of Commerce External Participants Roger Dow, President & CEO, Travel Association |
| March 17, 2020 14:26 |
WH Pool Report #6 - Inside Tourism meeting Inside Cabinet Room — President Trump began by thanking the efforts of his admin and the travel industry. "Thank you very much we have tourism industry executives...the true leaders of our tourism and hospitality industries," Trump said. "We know your industries are among the hardest hit," Trump said. "We are going to come out stronger than ever before." The president is going over the broad brushstrokes of the plan being considered in Congress. "We literally had the strongest economy on earth," Trump said, noting over 124 countries have been affected. "Unbelievable." Trump said he asked SBA lending to go up To $50 billion, "and actually more." The president is now having execs go around the room and speak. Hilton is to Trump's left, VP is to Trump's right. Wilbur Ross is seated behind. "All over the world it is a disaster," Trump noted after Hilton spoke. More TK. |
| March 17, 2020 14:51 |
WH Pool Report #7 - Inside Tourism meeting, continued President Trump, whose family runs hotels around the world, interjected to ask questions of the execs as they went around the table and explained their financial circumstances. One exec explained the chain effect of events and flights being cancelled. "The collective impact is quite significant…now we are seeing occupancy below 10%. "When this ends do you see a quick build up?" Trump asked. "It depends on how confident people are to get back on planes and travel." As the execs were speaking, VP Pence was making notes all over the points in front of him. Bates from Disney said employee retention is the most important, and second is liquidity. Bates said he likes an "Employee-employer payroll tax holiday." "Is that what you like of the scenarios?" Trump said. Bates said he likes all of them, and a lot. "Most direct, not as quick, but most direct," Trump replied. Beyond Sec. Ross and the VP, I spotted only two other admin officials in the room, but could not recognize them. Q: How much money for checks? Q: Payroll tax holiday…can we afford something that bil? Q: What's your message to furloughed employees? Pool was ushered out. |
| March 17, 2020 15:06 |
WH Pool Report #8 - Lunch lid til 3:30p A lunch lid was called until 3:30p. |
| March 17, 2020 | [APP Note: Report #9 does not exist or was not received by the APP.] |
| March 17, 2020 18:03 |
WH Pool Report #10 - Travel/photo lid (correcting number) At 6:00p a travel/photo lid was called. Correcting the number on this final pool report to #10. Happy St. Patrick's Day (enjoy your Guinness at home!) |
| March 17, 2020 19:20 |
WH Pool Report #11 - Readout of industrial suppliers call From Judd Deere — Today, President Donald J. Trump spoke by telephone with the executives of industrial supply retailers and wholesalers about the national response to COVID-19. The President thanked the participants for providing Americans the goods they rely on every day and asked them to extend his thanks to the incredible employees who are working tirelessly to keep store shelves well-stocked. The executives thanked President Trump and his Administration for their work during this time and for leading an all-of-America response to this pandemic. Also discussed was the benefit from the Trump Administration's lifting of federal restrictions on the trucking industry to allow maximum efficiency throughout the distribution network. The President and the executives agreed that American supply chains are the most powerful in the world and that continued cooperation and coordination between the private sector and all levels of government is essential to mitigate the effects of this pandemic. The leadersdiscussed that it is important for private sector leaders to work closely with state and local officials. The following participated in the call: Trump Administration President Donald J. Trump External Participants Bill Abington, Executive Vice President, Global Operations, Medline Industries Inc. |
Donald J. Trump (1st Term), Pool Reports of March 17, 2020 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/350163