From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 4:49 PM
Below is the final tranche of POTUS quotes from the Oval Office. Once again, please check all against final transcripts and video. The Rob Reiner answer was later on during the Q&A, but leading with it here, due to high interest. FYI: No changes, as of now, to the remainder of President Trump’s schedule — tworeceptions that remain listed as Closed Press. ROB REINER: “Well, I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a dera…
From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 4:26 PM
Below is the first of two reports with a partial transcript of President Trump's remarks and question-and-answer session in the Oval Office. RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT AND TALKS: President Trump said he had had “Nnumerous conversations with President Putin of Russia, and I think we're closer now than we have been ever and we'll see what we can do. We want to save a lot of lives. We sell equipment to NATO. We don't spen…
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY // NOT REPORTABLE Rocky Mount, NC Friday, December 19, 2025 When: Friday, December 19, 2025 at 9:00 PM EST Where: Rocky Mount Event Center 285 NE Main St Rocky Mount, NC 27801 Request Media Credentials: Please register for credentials HERE by 5:00 PM EST on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, to request media credentials. Late requests will not be accepted. Once approved, you will receive additi…
From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 4:08 PM
Asked if he wants congressional Republicans to use reconciliation next year to pass his envisioned health subsidies fix of giving funds directly to Americans, Trump said that could be an option. But he talked at length about ending the filibuster. Either tactic would mean Republicans could pass his preferred plans without Democratic votes. Moments later, he said he thinks Russian President Putin wants to end the war…
EXECUTIVE ORDER ________________________________________________________________ By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose and Policy. Illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic. Two milligrams, an almost undetectable trace amount equivalent to 10 to 15 grains of table salt, constitutes a…
From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 3:48 PM
President Trump signed the fentanyl EO at 3:37 p.m. as the border security medals were still being awarded. “No autopen,” he declared. He then took pictures with the troops being honored, and gave them each a round medallion he took from the desk. “I think you’ll like it,” he told one soldier. “It’s special.” “It's an honor. This is a fantastic moment,” he said. POTUS then announced his lawsuit against the BBC would…
From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 3:32 PM
President Trump announced at 3:29 p.m. that he would shortly sign an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. There is a document on the Resolute Desk in an open blue binder/folder. Trump yielded the lectern to Secretary Hegseth at 3:29 p.m. and moved behind the desk. POTUS started by giving an upbeat assessment of peace talks related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. TRUMP: “And at this m…
From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 3:18 PM
Pool entered the Oval at 3:16 p.m. POTUS is speaking from a blue lectern to (his) left of the Resolute Desk. Event is being streamed and broadcast. More TK. John T. Bennett White House Correspondent & Editor-at-Large Roll Call & CQ | FiscalNote publications | RollCall.com | FiscalNote.com @bennettjohnt
Today, President Donald J. Trump will award the newly established Mexican Border Defense Medal to U.S. service members for their extraordinary work to safeguard our nation’s southern border and uphold American sovereignty. Under President Trump’s decisive leadership, the southern border has undergone a profound transformation to turn back the invasion unleashed by the Biden Administration — achieving levels of secur…
From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 3:06 PM
The pool has gathered at the briefing room doors for the border medal ceremony in the Oval Office. More information about the medal can be found in pool report #1. The event will be live-streamed and broadcast at the usual places, including by our friends at C-SPAN (link below). Your pooler will send choice quotes and color from the Oval. More TK. https://www.c-span.org/event/white-house-event/pres-trump-participate…
The White House Office of Communications has determined the In-Town press rotation for the week of December 15 - December 19, 2025. Outlets and reporters interested in joining the White House Press Pool are welcome to email [EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS]) to express interest. Date TV Secondary TV Print Secondary Print Radio New Media 15-Dec CNN RAV Español CQ Roll Call Daily Caller FOX / AP Decrypt Media 16…
From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 12:25 PM
The White House has called a lunch lid until 1:15 p.m. John T. Bennett White House Correspondent & Editor-at-Large Roll Call & CQ | FiscalNote publications | RollCall.com | FiscalNote.com @bennettjohnt
From John BennettSent Monday, December 15, 2025, 12:13 PM
Good afternoon from the White House. Just a midday check-in. There have been no changes to President Trump's schedule. If any changes occur, your pooler will let you know soonest. The pool is still slated to head into the Oval Office for a 3 p.m. medal ceremony. More information about that award, the Mexican Border Defense Medal, is available at the link below. More TK. John T. Bennett White House Correspondent & Ed…
On Saturday, President Donald J. Trump attended the historic 126th Army-Navy football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, marking his sixth appearance at this cherished American tradition. As Commander-in-Chief, President Trump joined thousands of Cadets, Midshipmen, and other Patriotic fans to celebrate the unparalleled dedication, discipline, and valor of the United States Military Academy and Naval A…
DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025 In-Town Pool TV Corr & Crew: CNN Secondary TV Corr: RAV Espanol Photos: AP, AFP, NYT, Reuters, Getty Print: CQ Roll Call Secondary Print: Daily Caller New Media: Decrypt Media Radio: FOX/AP EST: 9:00 AM In-Town Pool Call Time 3:00 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in a Mexican Border Defense Medal Presentation Oval Office White House Press Pool 4:15 PM THE…
From Morton, JosephSent Sunday, December 14, 2025, 5:28 PM
White House advises the 5:15 event has started and we have a travel/photo lid. Have a good night everyone. Joseph Morton Washington Correspondent The Dallas Morning News (c) XXX-XXX-XXXX (tel:XXX-XXX-XXXX) [EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS]) Twitter: @ByJosephMorton
From Morton, JosephSent Sunday, December 14, 2025, 2:47 PM
As of 2:44 p.m. we have a lunch lid until 4:45 p.m. I'll send a note if pool gets indication POTUS remarks at the second holiday reception, scheduled for 5:15 p.m., could be opened to press. Joseph Morton Washington Correspondent The Dallas Morning News (c) XXX-XXX-XXXX [EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS]) Twitter: @ByJosephMorton
From Joseph MortonSent Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1:59 PM
POTUS finished speaking a short time ago. Most of the pool reassembled at the gather spot before he was done and requested access to the event. We were informed we could not go in mid-remarks for security reasons. Courtesy of our broadcast colleagues, what follows is the note sent to the TV networks . . . . The President just wrapped remarks to the families gathered in the Grand Foyer of the White House. He started…
From Joseph MortonSent Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1:21 PM
Your pooler raced back to the White House but the pool was already inside. POTUS remarks ongoing. Joseph Morton Washington Correspondent The Dallas Morning News (c) XXX-XXX-XXXX (tel:XXX-XXX-XXXX) [EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS]) Twitter: @ByJosephMorton
From Joseph MortonSent Sunday, December 14, 2025, 12:59 PM
The White House has lifted the lid and asked the pool to gather. Your pooler is racing back to the White House. Joseph Morton Washington Correspondent The Dallas Morning News (c) XXX-XXX-XXXX (tel:XXX-XXX-XXXX) [EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS]) Twitter: @ByJosephMorton