Pool Reports of March 9, 2025

Out-of-town note #1- POTUS rolling toward golf club

Good morning: we're saving daylight but spending sleep. No overnight executive action spared pool this early wakeup.

After a fresh attempt by AP to join the pool that was denied, we departed the press hotel under cover of darkness, rolling toward Mar-a-Lago at 6:39am.

We held in the MAL parking lot while the sun rose. Pinks and oranges supplanted the darker blue. There was a light haze with little breeze. The birds started chirping with the sunrise, not having been notified to start early because of the time shift.

POTUS and motorcade departed MAL toward the Trump International Golf Club at 8:38am. We couldn't lay good eyes on him, but he’s wearing a red hat and a white shirt today.

Out-of-town note #2- POTUS arrived at golf club

POTUS pulled into the Trump International Golf Club at 8:44 am.

Streets were mostly empty along the way. Close to Mar-a-Lago two men waved small Trump pennants.

Across from the club entrance two MAGA-hatted men filmed on their phones. AP could be spotted on duty standing behind them.

Out-of-town note #3- Karoline Leavitt gaggle

Your pool had an uneventful hold as POTUS golfed at the Trump International Golf Club. We watched POTUS's interview with Maria Bartiromo, which aired at 10am and was recorded Thursday. POTUS declined to rule out a recession: "I hate to predict things like that," he told her. You can watch the full interview at Fox News.

Just before we loaded the vans in preparation for POTUS's departure, Karoline Leavitt popped by our hold room for a brief gaggle, most of which was off the record.

She told us on the record that POTUS had dinner at MAL on Saturday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk. Sean Hannity happened to stop by the table, she said, and there were other club members and donors that were in attendance.

She also informed us that the president defeated Gary Player's grandson on the golf course today and that "many are excited about it over there right now."

Prior to her arrival, pool snacked on rich layer cakes thoughtfully provided by the AP, which continues its separate vigil in the heat directly across from the entrance to the golf club. One of the cakes was intended for "celebration," per its label. We celebrated the First Amendment.

We are holding in the parking lot awaiting POTUS's departure from the golf club.

Out-of-town note #4- golf course departure

POTUS departed the Trump International Golf Course at 2:41 pm. Your pool couldn't spot him through the Beast's window; he appeared to be sitting on the wrong side from my vantage point.

A cluster of about half a dozen supporters waited just across the entrance to the golf club, along with the watchful AP. One person was holding what appeared to be two-piece sign. The first piece — printed, with black letters on a red background — said "THANK YOU." The second — handwritten, and what appeared to be an addition — said "AND ELON." Another person flew an American flag.

My phone tells me it's 85 degrees. Barely any wind. Scattered clouds. Sunburn weather.

Full, on-the-record Karoline Leavitt quotes from her earlier stop by the press hold:

"The president had dinner last night with the Secretary of State, Elon, Sean Hannity happened to stop by the table with his new fiancée, Ainsley, and there were other club members and donors that were in attendance as well." She says she said something similar on Fox News this morning.

Additionally, "Gary Player's grandson was defeated by the president of the United States today."

Out-of-town note #5- Mar-a-Lago arrival

Motorcade pulled into Mar-a-Lago at 2:48 pm.

An uneventful drive, with the afternoon heat again keeping most people indoors.

As the motorcade turned the corner away from the Trump International Golf Course, POTUS (along with the rest of us) passed a dark gray Chevy Silverado that was pulling a trailer piled high with a jumble of old bicycles and other scrap metal.

We passed Palm Beach International Airport. AF1 could be seen where it has been parked since Friday. In the distance, pool spotted a much smaller blue-and-white USG airplane that appeared to be one often flown by secretaries of state. Marco Rubio, of course, dined last night at Mar-a-Lago with POTUS and Elon Musk.

Two men waved little flags at us from the sidewalk shortly before we crossed over the Lake Worth Lagoon and drew close to Mar-a-Lago.

Pool is holding near MAL.

Out-of-town note #6- Mar-a-Lago departure

POTUS departed MAL at 5:10 pm, en route to PBI. Pool could not see him.

Out-of-town note #7 - airport arrival

Motorcade pulled into PBI at 5:16pm and to AF1 a minute later. POTUS was up the stairs at 5:18pm.

The direct sun is less intense and many more people were out now filming the motorcade's passage.

One group of about 10-15 people were holding up pro-Trump signs on the sidewalk. "Keep our President safe," was one.

Another group of about a dozen was anti. They were holding up signs as well.
"Shame." "Lies." "Traitor." "Corrupt Russian stooge."

I am pretty sure Rubio's plane is now gone, but I can't see the whole airport. We're hopping out and onto the plane. POTUS waved to the press and then used the short steps. A White House official said ongoing construction at the airport meant that he had to use the short steps for security.

Elon Musk followed behind him.

Out-of-town note #8 - AF1 wheels up

AF1 was taxiing at 5:24pm.

Wheels up at 5:30pm.

Susie Wiles, Chris LaCivita, and Karoline Leavitt are all on board in addition to the previously-mentioned Elon Musk. Pool did not see other bold-face names.

Lobster tacos have been promised during the flight, to the surprise and merriment of pool.

Goodbye until JBA.

Out-of-town note #9- AF1 wheels down at JBA

AF1 touched down at JBA at 7:20pm.

POTUS spoke to us for about 10 minutes at the end of the flight. Quotes upcoming along with an otter.

The flight was smooth — no tousled drinks as during Friday’s southbound trip — and the Fox News signal came into AF1’s screens uninterrupted.

The lobster tacos were tasty and also surprisingly abundant. No word whether POTUS also partook.

Out of town note #10- Otter link

Otter is uploading and transcribing here: https://otter.ai/u/kD9XCNFESeuo-VCbqQXKzxPXZww

Stand by for quotes

Out of town note #11 - POTUS out of AF1, and quotes from POTUS gaggle

POTUS descended down the big steps from AF1 at 7:31pm trailed by Walt Nauta and Elon Musk. He saluted his greeter, then turned toward pool, pumped his fist and mouthed "thank you."

Entered Marine One at 7:32pm along with the others mentioned. Marine One took off at 7:37pm.

Quotes from the gaggle:
Russia sanctions?
"We're going to be looking at a lot of things. We have big meetings coming up, as you know, in Saudi Arabia, that's going to include Russia, but Ukraine, we'll see if we can get something done, like to get something done."

"A lot of people died this week, as you know, in Ukraine, not only Ukrainians, but Russians. So I think everybody wants to see it get done. We're going to make a lot of progress. I believe this week."

Tariffs: "I think the tariffs are going to be the greatest thing we've ever done as a country. It's going to make our country rich again."

Amy Coney Barrett: "she's a very good woman. She's very smart, and I don't know about people attacking her, I really don't know. I think she's a very good woman. She's very smart."

government shutdown this week?- "the Democrats want that. They want to destroy the country. So I can't tell you, but it could happen. It shouldn't have happened, and it probably won't. I think the CR is going to get passed. We'll see. But it could happen."

wont commit to resuming aid to ukraine even if there's a minerals deal: "I think they will sign the minerals deal. But we want them to, I want them to want peace, right? ... Well, right now they haven't shown it to the extent that they should. I think right now they haven't, but I think they will be, and I think it's going to become evident over the next two or three days. I think eventually, look, we have to have peace."

recession? "I tell you what, of course, you hesitate. Who knows? All I know is this, we're going to take in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs, and we're going to become so rich you're not going to know when spend all that money. I'm telling you, you just watch."

Final out of town note #12 - color from gaggle

Your pool was promised a POTUS gaggle earlier in the flight, and we staged expectantly for at least 15 minutes, cameras on, microphones running, crowded and jostling in the turbulence. Eventually we were told it might happen and we retook seats.

We were well into our descent when a WH staffer burst into the press cabin to tell us POTUS was about to enter. Karoline Leavitt came from a side door, then POTUS opened a separate door at the front of the cabin.

"That's a lot of people," he said with half a smile on his face.

The plane was very close to landing by the time POTUS finished gaggling after 10 minutes. AF1 may have circled to accommodate his conversation with us, a wrangler said. POTUS walked forward into AF1 and the plane landed a minute or two thereafter.

POTUS also has some questions about the Washington Post.

"You've lost a lot of credibility," POTUS said, after asking your pooler’s outlet. Pooler asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was disrespecting him by attacking Ukraine while POTUS attempts to bring peace to the country. POTUS did not answer the question.

(POTUS did later answer one of your pooler’s questions, indicating, perhaps, that the Washington Post can live to fight another day.)

This concludes your out-of-town print pool for the weekend. Thank you for tolerating this first pooling foray. Over to the in-town pool, and until next time.

In town note #1: Marine One lands at White House

Marine One landed on the south lawn at 7:48 p.m.

President Trump exited by himself shortly after around 7:50pm. He waved to gathered press but did not respond to shouted questions.

Elon Musk (and other guests & staff) exited after the president was inside. Musk and also gave a wave to press but did not respond to Qs.

In town note #2: Musk's attire

Elon Musk, shortly before entering the White House, opened his jacket to show off his black t-shirt with "DOGE" spelled out in white pixelated letters.

Musk's silver belt buckle has a star with the Tesla logo at the center.

(Shout out to the foreign, photo and TV poolers for the assist on this.)

A lid was called at 7:56 p.m. Good night!