Pool Reports by Matt Viser, The Washington Post
| Sent: | Reports: |
| May 11, 2024 11:53 PDT |
Out of town pool report #1 / rolling Greetings from a spectacular Saturday in Seattle, where Pike Place is full of flowers and fish, coffee shops are buzzing, and neighborhood dog walkers are out in force. POTUS has one fundraiser, in nearby Medina, Wash., before making a journey that will end in Rehoboth. As of 11:52am, we are now rolling to the fundraiser. |
| May 11, 2024 12:09 PDT |
Out of town pool report #2 / fundraiser arrival Short motorcade ride out of downtown, and over Lake Washington, with views along the way on a clear cloudless day of the Space Needle, Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainer. Onlookers gathered by the road throughout, most with cell phones. One woman had a small white sign that said "Trump" in black letters. We have arrived at the home of the fundraiser. Haven't yet spotted POTUS and pool is holding before his remarks. From WH, Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to a campaign reception: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| May 11, 2024 12:59 PDT |
Out of town pool report #3 / fundraiser comment on Israel Near the top of his remarks, POTUS said he wanted to address the situation in Israel. "There would be a cease fire tomorrow if Hamas would release the hostages," he said. "I guess I shouldn't get into all this about Israel," he added. And then he paused as if he was going to continue but then he stopped. "I don't want to get going…" he said, and then moved onto some of his more standard remarks. Remarks are ongoing so will relisten to remarks when they have completed, and file more from the event. |
| May 11, 2024 13:30 PDT |
Out of town pool report #4 / fuller fundraiser remarks At the start were POTUS remarks on Israel. Here's a fuller transcript of it: "Before I begin, let me answer a question related to the hostages. I keep getting asked by the press and all the other folks out there. You know, there would be a ceasefire tomorrow if Ira — Hamas released the hostages, women, the elderly, and the wounded. "Israel said it's up to Hamas if they wanted to do it, we could end it tomorrow. And the ceasefire would begin tomorrow. It all has to do…you know, we've not..anyway, I guess I shouldn't get into all this about Israel but…" "You know…" He then paused for a full five seconds. "Well, I don't want to get going.." The fundraiser was held at the home of Jon and Kim Shirley. Jon is a former president and CEO of Microsoft. The home is on Lake Washington, and outside on a lush green yard has a series of modern art pieces, including one of a giant safety pin. "He believes in democracy and cares about the American people. His opponent does not," Jon Shirley said as he introduced POTUS. "This election is like no other I've seen with a candidate who should scare us all." "If he is elected, it is dystopian," he added. The room where POTUS spoke felt like a museum, with art pieces and tapestries on the walls and sculptures all around, and about 100 people in the room. He was at a podium, a teleprompter set up and glass of water next to him. "Well welcome to the Seattle art museum!" POTUS said at the start. He referenced several in the audience, including Maria Cantrell ("You think if Maria, you think of integrity…I love you kid") and Primilla Jayapal ("a woman with more courage and chutzpah and stamina than anyone I know"). He also said praised Gov Jay Inslee, and said he wanted to bring him to Washington DC if he wins reelection. He called him "the best governor in America on the environment and one of the best overall" "I warn you all, if you like seeing him around Washington State don't elect me. But if you don't mind him leaving the state a little bit, elect me. Because I'm gonna g to try to grab him to get him to Washington. You think I'm kidding, I'm not." Most of the rest of the remarks were familiar to earlier fundraisers, with slight variations. "Folks, Trump is running for revenge," he said at one point. "I'm not running on revenge, I'm running to lead us to the future." He spoke for about 16 minutes. Afterward, Brad Smith came to the podium. The two of them earlier in the week had been together in Wisconsin, announcing an expansion for Microsoft in that state. We are now rolling to the airport. From WH, during the fundraiser those participating in a photoline with the President: Senator Maria Cantwell (WA) |
| May 11, 2024 13:50 PDT |
Out of town pool report #5 / Seattle airport Uneventful motorcade from the fundraiser and we arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 1:40pm. He got out of the Beast at 1:45pm and took a photo with law enforcement officers. As he walked toward the plane he either ignored or didn’t hear shouts to come elaborate on his fundraiser remarks on Israel. We’ll be wheels up soon, headed for Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. From WH, those traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Dover Air Force Base: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| May 11, 2024 21:12 EDT |
Out of town pool report #6 / Dover arrival Flight was uneventful, with no visitors to the press cabin as the sun set both on this day and on POTUS’ three-day West Coast fundraising swing. AF1 touched down at Dover Air Force Base at 9:10pm. Taxiing now, after which POTUS should deplane and then be en route to Rehoboth. |
Pool Reports below by Aurelia End, Agence France-Presse
| Sent: | Reports: |
| May 11, 2024 22:06 EDT |
Supplemental pool #1 - Arrival in Rehoboth Greetings from a windy and chilly Rehoboth. Marine One touched down at 9:51 pm at Gordons Pond and POTUS stepped off the helicopter at 9:54 pm. He walked to his car and the motorcade started rolling shortly after, en route to his residence. Your pool was stationed at a distance and could not shout questions. |
| May 11, 2024 22:17 EDT |
Supplemental pool #2 - Lid in Rehoboth At 10:13 pm the White House called a lid. Have a good night |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of May 11, 2024 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/371796