Pool report #19 / dinner and remarks

Pool was brought into the dinner as the Emir was speaking and offering introductory remarks. Both he and POTUS spoke as guests sat and listened.

Perhaps newsiest moment came with POTUS comments about Iran, saying there were two courses to take. “The non-friendly is a violent course and I don’t want that… They have to get moving. They have to make that decision. It’s their decision.”

He appealed to Qatar’s help.

“I hope you can help me with the Iran situation,” he said. “It’s a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing. We want to do it something that's going to save maybe millions of lives. Because things like that get started and they get out of control. I've seen it over and over again. They go to war and things get out of control, and we're not going to let that happen.”

The Emir has done his homework to appeal to Trump: talking up his massive investments in the U.S., mentioning his country’s trade deficit and saying Qatar likes to “drill baby drill” - a Trump campaign slogan.

“Our newly announced projects and investment will amount to $1.2 trillion and these days, I'm so grateful for the trade deficit we have with you, because the surplus swings in your favor. That's also why Scott Bessent is chill.”

The Emir tells Trump he worried for him during the election, when he was shot in Butler, Pa: “I prayed for your recovery and your safety.”

He also made an impassioned pitch to Trump to use American “leverage” to bring about peace in Gaza and end the killing of innocents.

He also commended Trump for choosing “loyal” staff: “loyal to your country and loyal to your cause.”

“For all of us in the room, this stop was no mystery,” he said. “Yes, the United States is a superpower, boosting the largest economy and military force in history. Meanwhile, Qatar is one of the smallest countries with one of the smallest population, and as the Americans in the room know, DC is almost 7000 miles away from here, but my friends, small nations have their own superpowers, resilience, nimbleness — and we are a powerful agent for peace precisely because of our size.”

Sitting at the head table, behind a row of candles, with President Trump and the Emir: Elon Musk, Scott Bessent, Steve Schwarzman.

The room had long tables with white tablecloth, with many bouquets of purple flowers. Each person had a plate setting with two drinks in front of them, and a menu we are venturing to get more details about.

When the emir finished a group of five musicians played wooden instruments in a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

Trump spoke next.

“This is a home. This is a serious home,” Trump said, saying he’d never seen anything like it.

“It’s just a perfect evening,” he said.

He paused and singled out chief of staff Susie Wiles for praise, and wished her a happy birthday as the room applauded.

“Your country now stands as a hub a global commerce, acts as a key diplomatic force on the world stage, and has even hosted the World Cup. People said, Oh, the World Cup,” Trump said.

He called out to the FIFA president sitting nearby.

“He’s coming to the United States. Great job you do Gianni.”

He referred the military escort he received earlier in the day, with fighter jets flying close to Air Force One: “It’s a little disconcerting…you look out and you can read the pilots name on his helmet. But they were great.”

He again bragged about his election win, and the counties he won, and touted his record in the first few months back in office. He concluded with remarks about unity between the two counties.

After he concluded, the musicians played the Qatar national anthem and then pool was escorted out.

Attaching my otter here: https://otter.ai/u/IdAY6szUk3hkKv3jGfKoW-rRIsw

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Matt Viser

The Washington Post

White House Bureau Chief

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