President Donald Trump is meeting The Emir of Kuwait right now, and as part of his trip to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. What follows are the emailed reports from today, from members of the White House Press Pool who have flown with POTUS to cover the trip.
The emails are in chronological order from earliest to most recent as of 11:55 am EST USA:
> ate: May 21, 2017 at 9:58:12 AM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool #3: Qatar and “beautiful military equipment”
>
> At 9:42 am Pool entered a similarly-situated meeting space as the previous bilat that was located in a neighboring suite to the last one, where POTUS was seated in a gold-colored chair alongside the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. Only POTUS spoke briefly during the quick spray.
>
> He said the two nations have “been friends now for a long time,” and previewed the “very serious discussions” they would have. “One of the things that we will discuss is the
> Purchase of lots of beautiful military equipment because nobody makes it like the United States. And for us that means jobs and it also means frankly great security back here, which we want.”
>
> He told the emir it was an honor to be with him. They shook hands but the emir did not speak.
>
> U.S. Participants in the bilat included the same roster as the last one as well as chief of staff Reince Priebus (who was gracious as he was surrounded by the pool) and another man poolers have not yet been able to ID.
>
> Pool holding again.
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 10:02:48 AM GMT+3
> Subject: Foreign pool report #2 POTUS with the Emir of Qatar
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>
>>
>> Not much to add to my colleague’ s pool report.
>> The Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani didn’t make any comments , just a hand shake and a smile .It was hard to spot the Qatari delegation in a small crowded room .
>>
>> I was told by one of the Qatari journalist in the pool that the Emir’s bother Khalifa Bin Hamad was there . I spotted the Foreign Minister , Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani.
>>
>> POTUS short statement is quoted in the US pool.
>>
>> Nadia Bilbassy
>> Bureau chief
>> Alarabiya News Channel
>> Washington DC
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 10:29:43 AM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool report #3 – Egypt
>
> NOTE: Funny moment below.
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> Your pool was led into a room where POTUS was sitting in a room with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the president of Egypt, sitting to the right.
>
> POTUS cakes Sisi “my friend” and praised the relationship with Egypt.
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> “We’ve really been through a lot together positively,” POTUS said. He said they are having “Very very important talks” and said that in Egypt “Safety seems to be very strong.”
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> POTUS thanked Sisi for his help with the release of an American aid worker, saying Sisi had helped to bring “Aya” home.
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> Speaking through a translator, Sisi said that the “Meeting really speaks of the strategic nature of the relationship” between the two countries. He invited POTUS to Egypt
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> “Egypt is secure and stable and is going very well with the cooperation of the United States” Sisi said.
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> Sisi added: “You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible”
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> That made everyone laugh. And POTUS responded: “I agree!”
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> POTUS said that he will get to Egypt.
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>
> Your pool is now walking to the conference center next to the Ritz for the GCC meetings.
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> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 10:41:02 AM GMT+
> Subject: Travel Pool Report #3a — addendum to Egypt bilat
>
>
> In addition to saying he would get to Egypt, POTUS added: “We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon.”
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> In the room, in addition to the folkanat previous bilats, Jason Greenblat was also there.
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> Also, POTUS did not respond to my politely shouted question asking him to comment on the recent Iranian election. Your pool was quickly ushered out.
>
>
> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 11:09:39 AM GMT+3
> Subject: Foreign pool report #4 POTUS and the President of Egypt
>
>> President Abdul Farah Al Sisi made a statement in Arabic via a translator , he thanked POTUS for the strategic relationship and assured him that ” Egypt is secure , able and a stable county with the cooperation of the United States ” .
>>
>> He praised POTUS as ” a unique personality who is capable of the impossible ” which made POTUS happy with a big smile and a spontaneous response , ” I agree ” everyone laughed.
>>
>> Sisi invited POTUS to Egypt , The President responded favorably indicating that he will visit soon.
>>
>> Spotted in the room on the Egyptian side is Foreign Minister and former ambassador to Washington , Sameh Shukri. Head of the intelligence service whom I didn’t get his name .
>> Dina Powell who is of Egyptian origin and was in the room were smiling when POTUS said he will visit Egypt .
>>
>> POTUS made a reference to the Egyptian Aid worker , Aya who was detained in Egypt for almost 3 years and was released recently upon a request from POTUS .
>> ” the America people appreciated that “.
>>
>> Sisi whom POTUS addressed as (General ) using his military title smiled widely .
>>
>>
>>
>> Nadia Bilbassy
>> Bureau chief
>> Alarabiya News Channel
>> Washington DC
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 11:38:18 AM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool 5: POTUS arrival for GCC
>
> At 11:31 local time POTUS entered the
> ornate center atrium of the convention center hosting today’s summits, walking alongside King Salman on a red carpet immediately into a side room where a restricted pool spray will occur.
>
> Just prior to POTUS arrival via the short motorcade ride from the Ritz (pool had walked ahead of him), King Salman had entered the atrium and taken a seat bracketed by small end tables decorated with white roses and in front of a single Saudi flag, which was on a rectangular rug surrounded by the red carpet winding in an octagonal outline. The Saudi Crown Prince MbN and Deputy Crown Prince MbS stood behind him.
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> Mike Memoli
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 11:58:52 AM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool Report # 8 – GCC meeting.
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> At 11:50 am Your pool was taken into a room with a large round table under a huge ornate chandelier for what the schedule described as a GCC meeting. POTUS was seated along with seven other heads of state. Each person had a small flag in front of them, with a small American flag in front of POTUS.
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> seated in chairs behind POTUS were Rex Tillerson, Dina Powell, Gary Cohn and Jared Kushner.
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> No words were spoken and your pool was led out of the room.
> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 12:02:07 PM GMT+
> Subject: Travel Pool 7: GCC Family Photo
>
> At 11:45 am, POTUS and King Salman walked side-by-side along the red carpet from the room where the MOUs were exchanged to the opposite side of the center atrium and an array of 8 flags — the 6 GCC states, U.S. and GCC flag — for a family photo.
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> Each leader stood in front of their national flag. Pool also noted the Saudi Deputy Crown Prince standing at the far end of the group.
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> No comments were made. Photo attached.
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> The group has since moved to another side hall for their meeting.
>
> image1.JPG
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> Mike Memoli
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 11:49:16 AM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool Report #7 – MOU
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>
> Your pooler was led into a large, ornate room in the conference center where POTUS sat in a large stuffed gold and blue chair. King Salman to his left.
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> POTUS shook hands with a couple of folks and chatted briefly out of earshot of the pool.
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> Also in the room, seated, were Dina Powell, Rex Tillerson, Jared Kushner and Gary Cohn.
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> After a few minutes, an announcer spoke, first in Arabic and then in English, introduced King Salman and POTUS, and said that an MOU between the United States and the GCC had been signed to establish a center to fight extremism in Riyadh.
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> The announcer said that Crown Prince MBN would represent the GCC and that Rex Tillerson would represent the US. The two men then exchanged the signed MOU in green folders and shook hands.
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> Your pooler was led out of the room.
> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 12:15:18 PM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool Report # 9 – WH Comment on NK Missile
>
> This just came in from the WH —
>
> Response to North Korea launch:
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> On background: We are aware that North Korea launched an MRBM. This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea’s three most recent tests. We refer you to DoD for further information.
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> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 12:38:52 PM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool Report #11 – Shoes
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> Your pooler has reviewed an audio tape of the Egypt bilat. There is, indeed, a clear comment by POTUS, while he was talking to Siri, in which POTUS says: “Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes. Man…” and then the tape gets unclear.
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> Your pooler apologizes for being caught flat-footed on this one.
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> Mike
>
>
> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 12:11:32 PM GMT+3
> Subject: Note about speech: Possible technical issues
>
> Hi all,
>
> Your poolers would like to note that the conference center, where the GCC meeting is happening, has been proving to be difficult in terms of internet. All of our cell phones and wifi hotspots (Verizon and ATT) struggled to find a signal, sometimes not working at all for long stretches.
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> I point that out because the big Trump speech later today is at the conference center, and while the WH is trying to figure out whether the room has some other kind of wifi, I am not optimistic.
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> The WH says there will be a livestream and that the feed will be on host TV, but just in case, we will do our best to bring you highlights, etc as fast as we can.
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> Mike
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>
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> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 1:49:52 PM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool Report #12a: Miller sighting
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> While pool was waiting to enter the Kuwait bilat for a spray, poolers spotted Stephen Miller, one of the architects of today’s speech at the Arab-Islamic-American Summit, waiting at the end of the long hallway opposite the suite where the meeting took place. He was, unlike just about every other official seen today, dressed casual, with a polo shirt on instead of a suit.
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> Mike Memoli
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 1:53:23 PM GMT+3
> Subject: Speech excerpts
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> The White House passes along these excerpts from the speech for distribution to the pool.
>
>
> We are adopting a principled realism, rooted in common values and shared interests.
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> Our friends will never question our support, and our enemies will never doubt our determination. Our partnerships will advance security through stability, not through radical disruption. We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes – not inflexible ideology. We will be guided by the lessons of experience, not the confines of rigid thinking. And, wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms – not sudden intervention.
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> ——–
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> Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God.
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> ———
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> America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecture—we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership – based on shared interests and values – to pursue a better future for us all.
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> Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith.
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> ———
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> But we can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong – and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden.
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> Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land.
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> America is prepared to stand with you – in pursuit of shared interests and common security.
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> But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children.
>
> ———
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> This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.
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> This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.
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> This is a battle between good and evil.
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>
>
> ———
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> That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.
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> Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory – piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned.
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>
>
> ———
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> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 3:28:14 PM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool Report #16 – arrival at conference center.
>
> At 3:20 your pool was brought in to a big anteroom in the conference center where King Salman was positioned once again in a solitary chair near the center of the room, awaiting the arrival of POTUS.
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> Before the arrival ceremony began the King summoned an aide to switch out of black sandals and replace them with black shoes.
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> The arrival ceremony began at 3:23. POTUS arrived to greet the king, who stood up to greet POTUS and then the two of them walked into another room. there was some brief small talk and some handshaking, and POTUS also greeted the deputy crown prince.
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> After the POTUS entrance, he was followed by his staff, including Ivanka, Jared Kushner, Dina Powell, Gary Cohn, Stephen Miller, Steve bannon, Joe Hagin.
>
> Your pool is holding again.
> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times
>
> Subject: Travel Pool Report 17: Speech venue
>
> Pool has now taken seats at the rear of the spectacular multi-chandeliered conference hall where POTUS will deliver remarks to the Arab-Islamic-US Summit. He will speak before an array of flags under a large rectangular tapestry to a room with rows of rather comfortable beige theater style chairs. There are six big screens throughout the room. Photo of room included.
>
> We’re running a bit behind schedule. Since last pool dispatch, POTUS, King Salman and then a procession of other leaders and attendees proceeded past our earlier position to a closed press luncheon.
>
> Ahead of a planned family photo spray there was quite the cluster as various other delegation press corps swarmed and then overwhelmed efforts to move the White House pool ahead to preset. We emerged from the crush and shoving mostly unscathed, held for a bit for the spray but ultimately most of the editorial pool has come in for the speech.
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> At 4:15 pm; just before we left the family photo area, we saw FLOTUS arrive.
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> [image1.JPG]
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> Mike Memoli
>
> Date: May 21, 2017 at 6:35:18 PM GMT+3
> Subject: Travel Pool Report #20 — Speeches
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> POTUS delivered his speech in a vast, ornate grand hall, filled with hundreds of plush, theater-style seats, eleven enormous chandeliers and ringed with six huge video screens.
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> The audience of the leaders of more than 50 Arab and Muslim countries, along with their entourages, watched the address, which followed a speech by King Salman.
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> The speeches were livestreamed so we are not going to try to offer lots of quotes here. Both speeches were delivered to a quiet audience, with no interruptions. King Salman spoke from his seat on the dias. POTUS spoke from a lecture using a teleprompter.
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> In the audience were also all of POTUS traveling staff, as noted in previous pool reports.
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> Sarah Sanders informs your pool that a transcript of the POTUS remarks is forthcoming very soon, so your pooler is not going to spend time transcribing quotes.
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> Your pooler was whisked away as soon as POTUS speech ended and is now back at the Ritz awaiting the next movement, which should be to the combating extremism center in Riyadh.
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>
>
> —
> Michael D. Shear
> White House Correspondent
> The New York Times