From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026 4:32 PM TRT
Press was escorted out at 4:31 p.m. Would flag naval blockade comments below. Again, please check all quotes against audio. Trump says he doesn't have a deadline for a deal between Russia and Ukraine. Trump, on a drone deal between Ukraine and the U.S.: "Well, we would buy their drones, and we make drones, we make great drones, but they have an ability to make a lot of them, which is great, Marco, amazing that in a…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026 4:19 PM TRT
POTUS has now not answered the question twice of whether his remarks earlier mean a return to full-scale military operations, pivoting instead to similar statements he made earlier on Iran. He again reiterates though that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner can continue negotiations. "Okay, so when you ask our guys can continue, you know, Steve is great, and Jared, all the guys, they know him very well. Yeah, actually t…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 4:07 PM TRT
Some news here on Patriot interceptors -- POTUS says the U.S. will give Ukraine the right to make them and show them how to do it. POTUS, on Zelenskyy, Ukraine and the possibility of a deal to end the war: "He's done an amazing job. Look, he's been, he's been very effective. Now he's had the best equipment, because he has had our equipment, and he said great, but somebody has to use that equipment, and you have a lo…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 3:58 PM TRT
President Trump starts off by saying his meeting with NATO leaders went well: "We just had our NATO meeting, and it was a great meeting. You probably heard it was a great meeting, a lot of.. there was a lot of love in that room, a lot of unity." He had Rubio and Bessent weigh in as well, who both echoed his sentiments that it went well. Then, on Zelenskyy, he starts off with warm remarks: "So, we had a really good m…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 2:26 PM TRT
Your pool gathered for the Zelenskyy bilat only to be told we are running an hour behind schedule. Will send another note when we are gathering for real. Megan Messerly White House reporter POLITICO
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 12:25 PM TRT
As noted, your print pool was not allowed into the NATO leaders family photo. But TV pooler Michelle Stoddart passes along the following TV pool report: Trump was announced at 12:05 LCL / 5:05 am ET. Wearing a yellow tie the president emerged and shook hands with Rutte and Erdogan and seemed to have a brief, warm chat with the leaders. All the European leaders then left the stage a returned together at 12:09 / 5:09…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 11:29 AM TRT
Pool is now holding as of 11:26 a.m. Stills were taken for the family photo, though your pooler endeavored to get into the restricted pool. Megan Messerly White House reporter POLITICO
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 11:22 AM TRT
Trump, asked if the ceasefire is over / the MOU is dead: "To me, I think it's over." "I don't want to deal with them, but they're scum. You know what scum is? They're scum, they're sick people, they're led by sick people, and they're vicious, violent people." However, he says he will allow his negotiators to keep talking with Iranian negotiators. "As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them.…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 11:17 AM TRT
Should flag we were brought in at 11:02 a.m. local time. POTUS has now turned comments over to Rutte. Rutte, on Iran: “I think what you did last night was absolutely necessary. It was a very strong response.” Rutte, on NATO spending: “It's really important when it comes to when it comes to NATO, what you have achieved, and this is a huge win." Rutte is also describing European lack of participation with Iran as "iso…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 11:10 AM TRT
We were brought into the room where President Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte are meeting. The two are seated in black leather chairs in front of a NATO backdrop. Also in attendance: Rubio, Bessent, Hegseth and Whitaker. Toplines -- POTUS wants to cut off trade with Spain and suggests "visits" should be cut off too, though he did not clarify what he meant there. Also see remarks on Iran strikes overnight…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 10:48 AM TRT
The motorcade arrived at the Bestepe Presidential Complex at 10:39 a.m. after another short and uneventful drive. Pool is now holding here at the complex. Megan Messerly White House reporter POLITICO
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 10:33 AM TRT
The motorcade is once again underway as of 10:31 a.m. We have not seen POTUS yet this morning. The White House passes along that, upon arrival, the President will met by His Excellency Cevdet Yılmaz, The Vice President of Turkey. First item on our agenda is a greeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Bestepe Presidential Complex. For now, this is closed to the pool, though things could always open last…
From Megan MesserlySent Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 9:53 AM TRT
Good morning from beautiful Ankara, where the sun is shining, the skies are blue and the weather is warm and perfect, with a light breeze. Your pool has been swept and is holding in vans. Important programming note: We are now expecting BOTH POTUS bilats -- with Zelenskyy and al-Sharaa -- to open to the pool. So we should have at least three opportunities to hear from the president today, including the presser this…
President Donald J. Trump and Republicans delivered the largest middle- and working-class tax cuts in history through the Working Families Tax Cuts, which Democrats fought every step of the way. Now, Democrats are smearing Trump Accounts — the program giving every eligible American child a $1,000 head start on building real wealth. These accounts put real capital directly into the hands of the next generation of Ame…
From Megan MesserlySent Tuesday, July 7, 2026 10:47 PM TRT
Motorcade arrived back at the RON at 10:45 p.m. and we have a lid. Good night, all! You'll hear from me again in the morning for our second day of the NATO summit and return trip home. Megan Messerly White House reporter POLITICO
From Megan MesserlySent Tuesday, July 7, 2026 8:54 PM TRT
The White House also passes along this NATO Leaders’ Social Dinner menu: Stone-Oven Baked Flatbread "Pide" Served with Trabzon Butter and Hizan Honeycomb Vegatables Braised in Olive Oil Served with Burnt Denizli Yoghurt “Manti” Traditional Dumplings Served with Burnt Denizli Yoghurt and Smoked Ayas Tomato Paste Sea Bass Served with "Tarama", Urla Mastic Artichoke and Tokat Grape Leaves or Slow-Roasted Beef Ribe Serv…