Pool Reports of February 4, 2024

Travel pool report #1 — departing the RON

The motorcade began rolling from the RON in Los Angeles at 10:28 am (local time).

The pool did not lay eyes on POTUS.

Travel pool report #2 — motorcade has arrived

The motorcade stopped at 10:40 am in Los Angeles on a street filled with restaurants and shops near Robertson Plaza.

Pool is inquiring as to POTUS's plans. We are holding in vans.

Travel pool report #3 - departure from Ivy restaurant

POTUS exited the Ivy restaurant in Los Angeles at 12:10 pm.

He was accompanied by Hunter Biden and Hunter's son, Beau.

He stopped and chatted with restaurant patrons seated outside but did not respond to a shouted question from the pool.

The motorcade rolled at 12:14 pm.

Travel pool report #4 — departure from LAX

POTUS boarded AF1 at 12:52 pm at Los Angeles International Airport.

On the tarmac, the president posed for photos and chatted with local law enforcement officers. He did not talk with the pool. It was cold, gray and windy.

Wheels up shortly. Next stop: Las Vegas.

Of note: Pool photographer captured an excellent image of POTUS embracing Hunter Biden outside the Ivy restaurant. See wire photos from previous stop. Today is Hunter's birthday.

Travel pool report #4a — travelers w/ POTUS

Per the WH

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Harry Reid International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance

Travel pool report #5– arrival in Las Vegas

POTUS stepped off AF1 at 1:54 pm (local time) in Las Vegas.

The pool asked if the air strikes were working.

The president shouted back "Yes!" before getting into the Beast.

The motorcade is rolling shortly.

Travel pool report #5a — greeting the president in LV

Per the WH

Greeting the President upon arrival at Harry Reid International Airport:

Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03)
Chairman Tick Segerblom, Clark County Commissioners

Travel pool report #6 — arrival at RON

The motorcade arrived at the RON in Las Vegas at 2:17 pm.

The pool did not see POTUS.

The president has two campaign events scheduled for later today. Pool is holding.

Travel pool report #7— departure from RON

The motorcade started rolling from the RON in Las Vegas at 3:47 pm.

The pool caught a glimpse of POTUS reading the Las Vegas Sun in the back of the Beast.

We are heading to a campaign event in Las Vegas.

Travel pool report #8 — arrival in Henderson

The motorcade rolled to a stop at 4:10 pm for a fundraiser at a home in a gated community in Henderson, NV.

From our vantage point in the vans, the pool can see POTUS talking to members of the public, posing for photos etc, on the street in front of the home. But the pool is being told to hold in the vans.

More to come.

Travel pool report #9 — Nevada fundraiser

At 5 pm, POTUS began addressing guests at a fundraiser at a private home in Henderson, NV.

He spoke for 28 minutes, much of it his standard stump speech recounting his record as president, including on infrastructure.

He appeared more forceful and animated in his condemnations of Donald J. Trump, particularly when he addressed Trump's reported comments that fallen American soldiers were "suckers" and "losers"

"I have to hold my Irish temper. I'm glad I wasn't with him. I'm not sure what I would've done. He said they're all suckers and losers." Biden then raised his voice as he referred to his late son Beau: "My son was not a sucker nor were any of yours. Who does this guy think he IS talking about Americans?"

He also referred to Trump as "Donald Hoover Trump" (a Herbert Hoover reference) and attacked his record on jobs, as well as his comments hoping for a recession while Biden was still in office.

"It sounds unbelievable, un-American, that a sitting — that a former president seeking the office is hoping for a recession"

Please check the official transcript for more.

About four dozen people were in attendance, among them Senator Jacky Rosen, Rep. Dina Titus and former Gov. Steve Sisolak.

Many thanks to Emily Goodin in the WHCA chair for help with transcription.

Motorcade is now rolling to the next event.

An addendum to previous pool report about POTUS talking with members of public while press held in vans: It appeared that POTUS had stepped out of the Beast for an impromptu chat with a neighboring family that had made a sign thanking him. Pool saw the sign as it drove by to the fundraiser.

On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign:

The President is delivering remarks at a campaign event.

Speaking Program
Richard Perkins
The President

Travel pool report #10 — arrival at Las Vegas rally

The motorcade arrived at 6:05 pm for a campaign rally at Pearson Community Center in Las Vegas's Westside neighborhood.

A small group of protesters, including one waving a Palestinian flag, were stationed on the street outside.

The pool did not see POTUS.

The rally is open press and will be broadcast on C-Span's website.

Travel pool report #11 — guidance from the Biden campaign

On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign:

The President is delivering remarks at a campaign event.

Speaking Program
Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04)
Senator Jacky Rosen (NV)
Melvin Valentine Jr.
The President

Travel pool report #12 — departing the rally

The motorcade left the rally at 7:43 pm. There were no protesters during the event.

The pool did not lay eyes on POTUS as we left.

We are en route to the RON.

Travel pool report #13 — arrival at RON

The motorcade arrived at the RON in Las Vegas at 8:00 pm.

The pool did not see POTUS.

We expect a lid soon.

Travel pool report #14 — lid

The WH declared a lid at 8:41 pm. Have a good night, all.