Pool Reports of February 22, 2025

In-Town Pool #1 - CPAC Arrival

Good afternoon from the Gaylord National Resort and Convention in Washington, D.C. President Trump arrived on M1 at 1:48 p.m. POTUS stepped off at 1:51 p.m. and slowly entered limousine.

Your pool is stationed far away from the landing zone. Motorcade began moving 1:52pm toward POTUS' entrance.

POTUS will deliver remarks at CPAC, which was originally scheduled for 2:30 p.m. — however, noting that arrival time is behind schedule (originally 1:20 p.m.), so expect those remarks to begin later, as he also set to meet with Poland President Andrzej Duda before hitting the stage.

In-Town Pool #2 - 2 min for CPAC remarks

We have a 2-minute warning for POTU remarks at CPAC.

In-Town Pool #3 - POTUS hits stage

President Trump hit the stage at CPAC at 2:38 pm. to "God Bless the USA." He was introduced by CPAC Matt Schlapp and Mercedes Schlapp.

Just before hitting the stage, the crowd of attendees were standing in anticipation, some dancing (one mimicking Trump's signature dance). Singer Mary Millben soon hit the stage to sing, "America The Beautiful" and "God Bless America." The crowd began shouting "USA!"

In-Town Pool #4 - Remarks ongoing

POTUS stood on the stage as "God Bless the USA" played before greeting Schlapp. The crowd enthusiastically sang along. They shouted "USA!" as he began his remarks at 2:41 p.m.

Trump said his administration was "dominating" Washington and sending bureaucrats "packing" and 

He said for years, Democrats have "sucked the country dry."

"We took away their confident … and we took back our country"

He touted his highest poll numbers as president. He said the administration is keeping their promises. 

He referenced his interaction with the Governor of Maine, who is "fighting to keep men in women's sports." He said to let Democrats "do that fight" — suggesting it's not popular.

He referenced the 2024 election and that the results were "too big to rig."

"We fought through hell together … we are liberating our country."

In-Town Pool #5 - More remarks

There was a standing ovation as Trump said this was his first CPAC address as the 47th President and more shouts of "USA!"

He began giving shout outs to Republican leaders and world leaders. There was quite a lot of applause for AG Pam Bondi.

Trump mentioned President Duda, who he just met with before hitting the stage. Duda stood up and waved to the crowd. 

Trump mentioned First Lady Melania Trump who is "watching on television." There was significant applause for her. 

Trump said his administration will "drive American politics for generations to come." He expressed optimism that Republicans will out perform in the midterm elections. POTUS then bragged about winning all swing states in the 2024 election. 

He said "all 50 states moved toward the Republican Party." 

He repeated the claim that he own the most Black votes in Republican history. He also touted his strong performance with Latinos.

In-Town Pool #6 - POTUS references Kamala Harris

When Trump mentioned the recent confirmation of FBI Director Kash Patel, there was a standing ovation. He also mentioned Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, who also received significant applause and a standing ovation. 

Trump mentioned diagnoses of autism, citing 1 in 36. "Something is wrong," he said. 

POTUS referenced Bill O'Reilly saying Trump is the greatest president ever in history, and George Washington coming in second. "Thank you, Bill," he said. 

Trump began talking about the southern border and how his actions thus far have led to "great numbers." He repeated his position on birthright citizenship, and that it was meant for "the children of slaves" and not immigrant children. 

He mentioned his revoking of TPS for Haitian migrants. He said migrants were "pouring in" from other countries in Africa. He claimed they were coming from 

Trump mentioned former VP Kamala Harris, referring to her as President Biden's border Czar Kamala Harris "I haven't said that name in a while ... I bet nobody knows her last name ... You had to say Kamala. It's strange."
Referring back to the 2024 election, POTUS said he had to beat "two candidates" -- referencing Biden and Harris.

In-Town Pool #7 - POTUS slams Biden and MSNBC

POTUS said Democrats "lost their confidence." He also railed against CNN and MSNBC, which he called a "threat to democracy." He called out Rachel Maddow, who "doesn't get ratings." He continued, "These people lie ... they are a vehicle of the Democrat Party."

Trump took a poll of whether they liked "Crooked Joe" or "Sleepy Joe." He said he will stick with "Crooked." He said Biden is also "horrible" at golf and referenced Biden challenging him to a game during their debate last year.

Trump defended his pick for Secretary of Labor, who is "a little bit left of center." He said he selected her because she is popular among labor unions like Teamsters. "They voted for us," he said. 

He referenced immigration again, specifically deportations that have taken place since entering office. He said he "couldn't stand it" when talking about undocumented migrants.  

President Trump said Democrats have "the worst policy in history." 

POTUS praised Leader Thune and House Speaker Johnson, who are "doing a great job." 

"Nobody has seen four weeks like we've had," said Trump.

In-Town Pool #8 - Biden expletive

Continuing his attack on Biden, Trump called him the worst president in 

"Everything he touched turned to sh*t!" which was followed by loud applause and some standing in jubilation.

Trump defended his use of expletives - "That's a much more appropriate word. We have to be truthful." 

POTUS returned to discussing immigration, calling cartels and gangs "bloodthirsty." He said, "We removed tens of thousands of MS-13."

"Now you have a president who is stamping their ticket ... to go back to where they came."

In-Town Pool #9 - Praise for Musk

Trump touted his pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement and Biden's "electric vehicle mandate." Trump also mentioned that he imposed federal hiring, regulation and foreign aid freezes to stop inflation. 

At 3:19 p.m., he mentioned the work DOGE is doing and praised Elon Musk. He also mentioned his son, X. "He's the only one who can get away with naming his son, X."

Trump said Musk "doesn't need" his position. He jokingly said Musk's official position is "patriarch." 

POTUS began listing off foreign aid for various social causes being spent in countries like Uganda, Mozambique, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, etc. He claimed $20 million was being spent on Sesame Street in Irag and called it an "amazing scam." 

Trump began talking about social security fraud and said AG Pam Bondi would be cracking down on "anyone cheating our seniors."

In-Town Pool #10 - Elizabeth Warren/Ukraine/Gaza

POTUS next discussed federal employees and their need to return to the office. Trump said the USAID office will now house Customs and Border Patrol. 

Just before referencing the shutdown of CFPB, Trump resurrected his "Pocahontas" nickname for Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who helped form the agency. He called her an "angry person." The audience appeared entertained as he  

At 3:31 p.m., Trump said he was working with Putin and Zelensky to resolve the war and "getting close to a deal." He mentioned the billions spent and that Europe should be spending more money than the U.S. and vowed, "We are getting our money back." 

He also said Oct. 7 and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war would not have happened if he were president. He said the hostages are coming back in "pretty bad shape," adding, "It's a horrible thing." Trump said "far more people are dead" than people know. POTUS said it is "not possible" to rebuild Gaza again.

In-Town Pool #11 - Tariffs/More on Hostages

POTUS also touted his imposing of 10% tariffs on all goods coming from China for fentanyl coming into the country from the east. He also mentioned tariffs on Canada. He's "not happy" with Canada, he said. 
"I get myself in trouble" when talking about tariffs. He said tariffs is his "fourth favorite word in the dictionary," after "God, wife and family."

POTUS touched on military aid to Afghanistan. He said he wants to "get equipment back." 

There was a standing ovation for some survivors who were held captive by Hamas and were asked to stand up by President Trump. They were seated by Counterterrorism Senior Director Sebastian Gorka, who received a shout-out as a "loyalist from day one." He added, "I love Sebastian."

At 3:44 p.m., POTUS mentioned his anti-DEI orders, saying that it has been "deleted." There was a bit of applause for that, as well as the government ordering that there are only "two genders."

Trump said critical race theory and references to "transgender" are "all gone from our schools."

POTUS said he banned censorship and "brought back free speech" and ended the "weaponization of our government." 

There was thunderous applause when POTUS mentioned his pardoning of J6 rioters.

He mentioned revoking the security clearances of Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, and others, which also received a lot of applause and a standing ovation. Your pooler heard one attendee shout, "What about Obama?"

Trump also got a lot of applause for his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and renaming Mount McKinley.

In-Town Pool #12 - Remarks conclude

POTUS gave shout out to Mike Lindell, and defended Lindell's claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

"We are going to push forward everyday," said Trump. "I have not yet begun to fight … and neither have you."

The crowd began chanting, "Fight!"

We are going to fight, fight and win, win." Remarks corked at 3:54. "YMCA began playing," as Trump did his signature fist pump dance. He stood and lingered as he waved and walked off the stage.

In-Town Pool #13 - POTUS departs CPAC

President Trump's motorcade pulled up to M1 at 4:12 pm. He immediately exited his limousine, saluted and walked up the helicopter stairs.

M1 was wheels up at 4:17 p.m.

Pool is now heading to vans and back to the White House.

In-Town Pool #14 - POTUS arrival -- Karoline Leavitt Gaggle
[APP Note: This report was provided by Sara Cook, CBS News.]

Sharing my TV pool note with the WHCA since we did not have a print pooler outside for the President's return.

Marine One landed on the WHSL at 4:25pm. President Trump stepped off the helicopter and walked across the lawn at 4:27pm.

He mouthed something to gathered press about going inside that was difficult to distinguish and walked past, ignoring shouted questions before entering the residence side. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz followed him inside.

Press Sec Karoline Leavitt stopped to briefly gaggle. 

Flagging that Karoline said the President was confident a Russia-Ukraine deal could get done "this week."

KAROLINE LEAVITT: The President wanted me to stop over here and tell all of you that he hopes you watched his speech and enjoyed his speech. It was a very good speech with a very big crowd, and we love CPAC, and Mercedes and Matt have done a great job. 

He also wanted me to tell you all that he believes very strongly that Russia is willing to make a deal, and he's fighting to make a deal. And Mike Waltz, who you just saw him go inside, is going to be working around the clock all weekend to get a deal and end this conflict in Ukraine. 

The President said he wants the killing to stop, he wants to stop seeing innocent men die, and he wants peace. And that's his ultimate goal right now, and that's on his mind tonight.

Q: Has he been updated about the Pope at all?

Q: He talked about the deal and said they were close to a deal. What's the next step to getting the minerals deal in Ukraine? 

LEAVITT: Well, as you know, Secretary Bessent has been involved in negotiating with the Russians on — the Ukrainians, on that front. When it comes to the critical minerals, this is an important piece for the President. It's very important for the President, because it will recoup American tax dollars. And it also will be a great economic partnership between the United States of America and for the Ukrainian people as well as they rebuild their country following this brutal war.

LEAVITT: And I heard you ask about the Pope.

Q: Has the President been updated about the Pope's status?

LEAVITT: Yes, he has been updated, and we're praying for the Pope, and I'll let the President put out his own statement. But of course, our thoughts and prayers are with him.

Q: How soon can we expect a Putin-Trump meeting and where? Will it be in Saudi Arabia, or any other place? 

LEAVITT: I don't have anything to detail or to read out right now. The President, his team are very much focused on continuing negotiations with both sides of this war to end the confident and the President is very confident we can get it done this week.

In-Town Pool #15 - Earlier remarks from POTUS at South Lawn

Hi All - Providing the below pool note of POTUS' remarks earlier today when departing for CPAC from our colleague from TV pool, Sara Cook, as your in-town print pooler was on-site at Gaylord National at the time and not at the White House:

President Trump exited the White House on the Residence side at 1:35pm. He briefly addressed reporters about the hostages being returned by Hamas but did not take questions about Ukraine or replacing CQ Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He boarded M1 at 1:36pm. Marine One was wheels up for CPAC at 1:40pm

PRESIDENT TRUMP BRIEF REMARKS: 

TRUMP: We had a lot of news over the last 24 hours. we had the hostages given back today. Disgraceful what is going on there. They are not in great shape but we have also seen them in worse shape. The hostages, the six hostages were delivered by Hamas. What a terrible situation it is. 

TRUMP: I am going now to make a speech at CPAC, so I think we are going to include a lot of your subjects and I know it is going to be covered by all of you. And so I'll see you at CPAC.

In-Town Pool #16 - Pool gathering

Pool is gathering at Palm Room Doors for Governor's Dinner.

In-Town Pool #17 - Governors Dinner

Pool entered the East Room at 8:03 p.m. for the National Governors Association Dinner and Reception. 

Your pooler heard VP Vance introduced shortly before entering. 

There are several dinner tables with floral centerpieces.

POTUS and FLOTUS entered the East Room to applause at 8:07 pm. There was lingering applause and shouts as POTUS stood at lectern. 

Remarks have begun.

In-Town Pool #18 - POTUS remarks

POTUS said FLOTUS put a lot of work into planning the dinner, to which the room stood and applauded her. He said she looked "beautiful."

Trump asked 8 "new" governors to stand to applause.

POTUS said governors could call on his administration — including the Democratic governors.

Trump mentioned the importance of "unity" and DeSantis stood up and mentioned Trump's PGA meeting as an example of unification.

POTUS said he wants all governors to succeed so that the country succeeds. He mentioned tonight is also the 239th Birthday of President Washington and how he 

He said some Dem Governors are doing a really good job, and jokingly suggested some not so much, to which it elicited some laughs.

He said he was a "nasty journey" back to the White House, but added, "Let us all we commit ourselves to Strengthening America and making it something even more special than it has been, and we're going to be one united nation, and maybe together, this is going to be leaving and we start uniting.

He offered to give a tour of the Lincoln Bedroom ("it's beautiful") at the end of the meal.  

POTUS then asked HUD Secretary Scott Turner to pray before dinner.

Some notable sporting:

VP Vance
Second Lady Vance
Kristi Noem
Tulsi Gabbard
Gov. Youngkin
Gov. DeSantis 
Gov. Burgum
Gov. Huckabee Sanders
Secretary Rubio
Secretary Hegseth

In-Town Pool #19 - Brief Q&A

After Secretary Turner's prayer, POTUS began walking to greet attendees. He briefly walked over to the pool and took a couple brief questions.  

When asked about his meeting with Polish President Duda, he said he very "good" and "excellent." He said Duda, "is a great friend of mine."

On how the deal is coming along on minerals in Ukraine, he said, "All of them are coming along … we're doing well with Russia and Ukraine. We're going to get this country out of a lot big messes."

Pool was quickly rushed out approximately 8:23 pm. 

Will try to get exact quotes if anything needs to be cleared up.

In-Town Pool #20 - Travel/Photo Lid

The pool received a travel/photo lid at 8:39 p.m.

In-Town Pool #21 - Q&A

It was very hard to hear the playback, but here is the best I can make out from POTUS' brief Q&A:

Q: How was your meeting with President Duda?

TRUMP: "Very good, excellent. He's a fantastic guy. He's a great friend of mine.. Poland… the meeting was excellent. Couldn't have been better."

Q: How's the deal with critical minerals with Ukraine ... ?

TRUMP: "All of them are coming along. We're doing well with Russia, Ukraine, and we're going to get this country out of a lot of big messes."

That's all for me, folks! Have a wonderful evening.