Pool note #1 - WH departure/gaggle

Good morning from the White House on a muggy Friday. POTUS exited the south portico at 8:48 am, en route Turnberry, Scotland.

He immediately headed to the side of the portico opposite the pool and engaged with onlookers, working his way down the rope line. There are about 100 people gathered there. Pool could hear nothing. Some onlookers waved small American flags. WH photog snapped many pix. POTUS autographed something. Shook many hands.

At 8:53 he came over to pool and gaggled. Talked about “too much winning” and “great economic numbers”. “Hamas didn’t wanna make a deal”

On Maxwell: “people should really focus on how well the country is doing”

Pardon for her? “It’s something I haven’t thought about”

On Epstein: I have nothing to do with the guy

Talked about hostages.

“We’ve wiped out inflation”

“When u have a strong dollar, you can’t sell anything….” But said he still loves a strong dollar

Re China: all they do a fight for a weak currency

Re macron in Gaza- what he says doesn’t matter. But “he’s a good guy”

50-50 chance of making of a deal with EU

START expiration soon: “that’s a big problem for the world”

Called Powell a “very good man” and “we had a really good meeting”

Talked tariffs. Letters going out by Friday

Thinking about rebate checks for Americans, especially those with low incomes.

Karoline Leavitt stood off to the side.

Still gaggling at 9:15. More tk

--

Linda Feldmann

Washington Bureau Chief

The Christian Science Monitor

XXX-XXX-XXXX

[EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS])

Twitter: @linda_feldmann

.......

The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this message is intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain confidential or privileged information. This email is not intended to, and shall not, constitute an electronic signature giving rise to a binding legal contract, unless expressly stated otherwise in the body of the email by the sender.