From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 5:16 PM
POTUS and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani walked into the room at 4:59pm and immediately went to sit at a desk in the front of the room to sign several agreements. The first was “in the field of aviation” and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg came up and signed a deal with Qatar Airways. Trump said it was for 160 jets (although asked aloud whether it was 140 or 160 before seeming to settle on 160). “Get those planes out…
Under President Donald J. Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill, everyday Americans will see a significant decrease in the taxes they owe, Politico reports . “Average-income people would see double-digit percentage declines in their tax bills under House Republicans’ tax package, according to a new official analysis that’s sure to inflame partisan fights over who would get what under the plan. Those making between $30,000…
From Irie SentnerSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 9:27 AM
Good morning from the US Naval Observatory, where Vice President JD Vance is hosting a police week breakfast. VPOTUS and SLOTUS walked out at 9:18 am and shook hands with the attendees. SLOTUS took a seat, and VPOTUS addressed the room, in which about two dozen people are seated across four tables. OVP has told your pooler it will provide a list of attendees. Please check all quotes against the official transcript.…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 3:15 PM
The Beast pulled up at 2:48pm, and POTUS emerged and was escorted into an atrium with lots of white marble by His Highness Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani - Amir of the State of Qatar The military officers were called into formation and and band played the Star Spangled Banner. POTUS stood on a red rug in a salute. One of the officers then came and displayed his sword and then marched toward the other officers as PO…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 2:45 PM
Motorcade rode through empty streets, with USA and Qatar flags lining most of the streets. We passed Lusail Stadium in the air and Stadium 974 on the ground, two of those built for the World Cup held here in 2022. Streets as we approached we passed boats in the water with USA and Qatar flags as sails. Also some horses and camels. Arrived at 2:37pm at Amiri Diwan, the administrative offices of the emir, and have rush…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 2:28 PM
The carpet was rolled out here, this one red. POTUS emerged and pumped his fist before walking down the steps. Greeters on arrival at Hamad International Airport, according to WH Ambassador Timmy Davis - Ambassador of the United States to Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani - Amir of the State of Qatar His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani - Prime Minister of Qatar and…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 2:15 PM
Wheels down at 2:12pm. POTUS came back to the press cabin during the first part of the flight for a gaggle that lasted about 10 minutes. He mentioned that we would receive military escorts and later in the flight four Qatari fighter jets appeared on the right side of AF1, and it appeared a similar number on the left hand side. Here are the highlights from the gaggle, with a major assist from co-pooler Jonathan Swan:…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 12:46 PM
Motorcade ride was uneventful, with roads closed off and police officers standing at attention outside their vehicles and facing away from the traffic. Portions of the roads were lined with US and Saudi flags. We arrived at King Khalid International Airport at 12:41pm. Did not see POTUS go up the stairs, arriving just in time to see workers rolling up the lavender carpet and pushing stairs to the side. Engines are r…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 12:01 PM
Motorcade rolling to the airport at 11:59am. Also to clarify from the family photo pool report, an astute reader notes that the leader of Oman is not at the forum. Other Omani officials and royals are here and POTUS appeared to be standing next to the head of the Omani delegation, Asad bin Tariq, deputy prime minister of Oman. The silver piece that POTUS seemed to be noting is called a khanjar, a traditional dagger…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 11:41 AM
WH passes along this readout of POTUS meeting with al-Sharaa. Readout below from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: READOUT OF MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN, PRESIDENT ERDOGAN, AND PRESIDENT AHMAD AL-SHARAA Today, President Trump, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. President Erdogan of Turkey joined by phone. President Erd…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 11:32 AM
We were brought into a room where GCC members were seated around a round table. POTUS was speaking when we arrived, and he referenced his meeting earlier with the Syrian president. He indicated that leaders from Saudi and Turkey were also included in the meeting, and referenced the US dropping sanctions and the applause it received last night. “I felt very strongly that this would give them a chance,” he said. “Give…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 11:07 AM
POTUS entered the room at 11am with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, followed by other leaders. They all assembled in front of their flags. POTUS looked to his right, to the leader of Oma , and seemed to motion approvingly at a silver container around his waist that perhaps held a knife. POTUS did not respond to a shouted question about how his meeting went with the Syrian president, and the leaders left abou…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 10:51 AM
The meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara began at 10:07am, according to WH, and wrapped at 10:40am. Pool has repositioned to room where it seems GCC leaders will soon be appearing. We are in a large room with an ornate chandelier overhead. There are eight flags set up, with US and Saudi positioned in the middle. Off to the side have been several men with coffee. There’s a bit of a dance ongoing for where Sau…
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 10:19 AM
WH official confirms that POTUS meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has started and is ongoing. Pool is still holding ahead of GCC meeting, so we don’t have visibility into the meeting. Will update as we learn more. Matt Viser The Washington Post White House Bureau Chief Cell: XXX-XXX-XXXX [EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS])
From Matt ViserSent Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 9:19 AM
Greetings from Riyadh, where the pool is currently holding in a large and elaborate ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton, preparing for a full day here and then in Doha. One of the intriguing elements this morning is a meeting that POTUS is scheduled to have with the Syrian president, which comes a day after the announcement that the US was lifting sanctions on Syria. It is unclear what visibility the pool will have of the…
From Alex LearySent Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 11:08 PM
Motorcade back at Ritz at 11:06 pm. We have a lid. Good night from Riyadh. And thanks to all the other poolers. Alex Leary The Wall Street Journal Washington Bureau Cell: XXX-XXX-XXXX
President Donald J. Trump just wrapped up a major address in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he outlined an optimistic vision for the future of the Middle East and his approach to achieving a more stable region and peaceful world. Here are the top moments: “Exactly eight years ago this month, I stood in this very room and looked forward to a future in which the nations of this region would drive out the forces of terror…
Motorcade arrived at 8:49 pm. As we drove into Diriyah, a row of men with Arabian horses lined the road. The men held alternating U.S. and Saudi flags. Pool made a series of very quick movements outside as Trump and MBS looked over the site, which was illuminated with golden yellow light. Nearby a group of people knelt on the ground, swaying and chanting to a drum beat. Inside, Trump looked at a sprawling model of D…
DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025 Out-of-Town Travel Pool TV Corr: CNN TV Crew: CBS Photos: AP, AFP, NYT, Reuters, Getty Print: Washington Post Radio: NPR Secondary Print: New York Times EDT 8:00 AM Out-of-Town Pool Call Time 10:00 AM THE PRESIDENT participates in the Gulf Cooperation Council Leaders' Meeting The Ritz Carlton Riyadh Pre-Credentialed Media 11:30 AM THE PRESIDENT departs th…