Pool Reports of April 13, 2025

Out of town report #1: Rolling from MAL, doctor memo

Good morning from sunny Florida. The president's motorcade was rolling from Mar-a-Lago at 10:26 a.m.

Also sharing the White House memo from the president's physician for those who haven't seen:

Out of town report #2: Golf arrival

The motorcade arrived at Trump International Golf Club at 10:34 a.m. after an uneventful drive. The motorcade approached from the opposite direction from yesterday, so the pool vans pulled into the library parking lot while the rest of the motorcade turned into the golf club entrance just up the road.

Your pooler could spot a handful of people gathered on the sidewalk across from the golf club entrance. Your pooler also spotted an AP reporter and photographer in the hotel lobby this morning, though they were not part of the pool.

Out of town report #3: Golf departure

The president's motorcade pulled out of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach at 3:25 p.m.

Out of town report #4: MAL return, dinner lid

Motorcade arrived back at Mar-a-Lago at 3:32 p.m. after an uneventful drive.

The White House has called a dinner lid until 6 p.m.

Out of town report #5: Departing from MAL

The president's motorcade was rolling from Mar-a-Lago at 7:33 p.m., minutes after Rory McIlroy won the Masters on a playoff hole. All of us riding in press van three were anxiously watching as it played out.

Out of town report #6: PBI departure

The president's motorcade arrived at Palm Beach International Airport at 7:41 p.m. The motorcade passed by several dozen onlookers en route, some with pro-Trump signage and one small group of protesters with signs that read "Lawless" and "Russian Stooge."

The president boarded the plane at 7:43 p.m., just as pool was getting out of our vehicles. Elon Musk and his son, X, were also seen getting on the plane. 

Air Force One is taxiing at 7:49 p.m., and we should be wheels up shortly for the return flight to JBA.

Out of town report #7: Trump remarks, JBA landing

Air Force One was wheels up from Palm Beach at 7:54 p.m. and wheels down at JBA at 9:48 p.m.

President Trump spoke to the press for about 14 minutes just before we landed. He spoke about tariffs, Russia-Ukraine, the Masters and his recent physical. Some initial quotes below, more to come.

On Russia's attack on Ukraine on Sunday: 
"I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing. I think, for that war to have started is an abuse of power. This country would have never allowed that war to have started if I were president. That war is a shame."

Asked to clarify about the mistake comment:
"They made a mistake. I believe it was— look, you're gonna ask them. This is Biden's war. This is not my war. This is a war that was under Biden… I'm just trying to get it stopped so that we can save a lot of lives."

On semiconductor tariffs:
"The tariffs will be in place in the not distant future. Because, as you know, like we did with steel, like we did with automobiles, like we did with aluminum, which are now fully on, we'll be doing that with semiconductors, with chips and numerous other things. And that'll take place in the very near future. And what we did is we want to uncomplicate it from a lot of companies, because that's really where it should be ideally. And we wanted to uncomplicate it from a lot of other companies, because we want to make our chips and semiconductors and other things in our country. And I will tell you, another one is pharmaceuticals. Drugs and pharmaceuticals. We want to make our drugs  in this country, and by placing a tariff on the companies that are not in this country…we're going to have our drugs made in the United States so that in case of war, in case of whatever, we're not relying on China and various other countries."

What rate for semiconductor tariffs: "I'm going to be announcing it over the next week."

Out of town report #8: More quotes, handoff

President Trump deplaned at 10:05 p.m., and walked over to Marine One. He was followed by Elon Musk and a host of aides.

Marine One lifted at 10:13 p.ms. Handing off to the in town pool. 

More quotes below, and an Otter recording here: 
https://otter.ai/u/4x_w4k7pRikqZ5_Hj6M_86NxM98

On his message to markets tomorrow given there may be some ambiguity or questions: "Well, there shouldn't be. We have a tremendous country. We have a country that's much richer today than it was a few months ago. We have a financial system that's very respected." 

He said other countries "took advantage of our country, and we're just not going to let that happen anymore."

Asked when he expects the "big, beautiful bill" to be done: "I hope soon...It passed its first test as you know over the last couple of weeks." 

Touted that it would mean tax cuts, regulation cuts and money for the border. 

Said of Biden's border policies: "What they've done to our country should never be forgotten. Never be forgotten. What they've done, and the news hasn't reported it correctly, is a disgrace."

Tariffs on things like iPhones, tablets? "Well, that's going to be announced very soon, and we'll be discussing it, but we'll also talk to companies. You know, you have to show a certain flexibility. Nobody should be so rigid. We have to have a certain flexibility. And we're doing really well. And financially, our country is going to be stronger than it's ever been."

There's flexibility for some products? "For some products." He would not say which ones.

Trump opened by telling reporters of his physical: "I understand it was a very good report. I took a cognitive exam, and I would challenge anybody here to beat those marks."

POTUS asked Brian Glenn of America's Voice if he was impressed by his score. Glenn said he was.

Glenn later asked Trump how he has so much energy and stays so healthy: "Because I enjoy what I'm doing, and I like the results. I think, I think we're making America great again, and it makes me feel good. Probably keeps me happy."

Asked if he watched the end of the Masters: "Oh, well, I have to congratulate Rory. That showed   tremendous courage. He  was having a hard time, but it showed great guts and stamina and courage. People have no idea how tough that is."

Asked if he has any reaction to the fire set at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion, POTUS said he just heard about it and will have to look into it.

Thanks for following along this weekend.

Pool note #1: Checking in

Good evening, 

Chris Kane here checking in ahead of the president's arrival this evening. Our call time was pushed back to 7:30.

Pool note #2: Gather at the Palm Room Doors

We're gathering at the Palm Room Doors ahead of the president's arrival.

Pool note #3: wheels down on the South Lawn

Marine One was wheels down on the South Lawn at 10:22 p.m. 

The president waved but did not take questions from the press. 

Elon Musk then existed the aircraft with his son, X, and they followed the president into the White House. They waved but did not take questions.

Pool note #4: Lid

We have a travel/photo lid. Goodnight, everyone!