Live archive
Updates from the White House press pool, searchable as they arrive.
9,200 reports
The WH press office called a lid at 12:51am - have a good rest of the night and thanks to the fellow poolers who helped cover this Fourth of July . James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
The motorcade arrived at the White House at 12:49am after a short ride from the National Mall . James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
The motorcade started rolling for the White House at 12:45am , POTUS waved at the pool from the window of the Beast . James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
The event is over and POTUS left the temporary structure where he was watching the fireworks after standing up to applaud . Pool still holding by the stage . James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
At 12:36am the pool was ushered to the side of the stage in preparation for departure to the tunes of “Party in the USA” , with the fireworks still going . POTUS Is still watching what looks like a possible grand finale . James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
POTUS is watching the fireworks behind the glass, seated next to First Lady Melania Trump . YMCA is playing now and some drops of rain are starting to fall . James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
The fireworks started just before midnight after a military jet flew above the stage. POTUS has returned to the indoor structure to watch the show. James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
POTUS ended his remarks and exited the stage at 11:54pm after saying that the “ best is yet to come “ for America and the “spirit of 1776 lives within us all “ . The fireworks show is up next . Pool is holding here. James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
POTUS spoke at length about the prowess of the US military - including saying that the Iranian military had been “ wiped out “ during this year’s war . “America is a nation of winners and today our country is winning again,” he said . POTUS then called on Congress to pass legislation to require voter identification and restrict the use of mail in ballots . The audience is occasionally standing up and often clapping…
POTUS is facing the Washington monument as he speaks, renewing the attacks he made at Mount Rushmore against “communists”. “ They haven’t got a chance, “ he said . “We don’t want communists in our country “ . POTUS then hailed the “immortal patriots of 1776” and the “ cause of independence “ . “ We will always be on top,” he said , adding that the US would never let the country “ fail” James Politi Financial Times W…
POTUS arrived on stage at 11:15pm to the tune of “ Hail to the Chief” just after Lee Greenwood delivered a version of the Trump campaign classic “God Bless the USA “ . He was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump . “ You think this was easy, it wasn’t” , he said , referring to the weather delay . “ This country is the home of freedom,” he said of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence . James Pol…
POTUS left the indoor structure where he was meeting with guests before his remarks - the rain has now stopped . A rendition of “ Ave Maria” and another of “Nessun Dorma” is being sung on stage in preparation for POTUS remarks . Most of the seats are filled in front of the stage, and the crowd is lightly cheering . The audience was urged to stand up for “ God Bless America” . Uniformed members of the military are st…
Still indoors, POTUS was spotted on the phone and watching TV tuned to Fox News . On stage Puccini’s “ Nessun Dorma “ was played followed by Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” . Crowds are still relatively sparse, a good number of seats remain empty but people are filing in . Some started chanting “USA”. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also spotted on site as was Howard Lutnick, who was talking to POTUS. James Polit…
The pool has arrived at the “Salute to America” event venue near the Washington Monument on the National Mall , under a light rain . POTUS was spotted to the right of the stage through the glass of an indoor facility where he was greeting guests and briefly waved to the crowd outside.Fellow pooler spotted Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent indoors. James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suit…
The motorcade arrived at the National Mall at 10:09pm after a short drive down 17th StreetNW. James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
The motorcade started rolling for the National Mall at 10:03pm. POTUS was spotted by fellow pooler . James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
Under the rain , the pool loaded into vans and holding for departure . James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
Pool is gathering for departure to the National Mall for POTUS remarks James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
A White House official says the gates to the National Mall event will reopen at 9.45pm and POTUS speech is set for 11pm. POTUS also posted this on Truth Social https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116864681605523102 James Politi Financial Times Washington bureau chief 1667 K St NW Suite 825 Washington DC 20006
Good evening and happy Independence Day to all as America celebrates its 250th birthday. POTUS is due to attend and deliver remarks at the Salute to America Celebration on the National Mall. Earlier he posted on Truth Social that his speech would be at around 10pm. But after a scorching, sunny day, the weather has turned stormy and the Mall has been evacuated, with organisers of the festivities advising people to ta…