WH in-town pool report #10 Trump done speaking

Trump did not respond to any shouted questions directed his way as he left the East Room.

Trump started his speech by introducing some of his top officials in the room including Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Doug Collins.

He also recognized his former campaign manager Chris LaCivita, who is among the Purple Heart recipients honored here.

Trump to Gabbard: “She’s got a lot of interesting things happening. Keep it coming, Tulsi. Keep it coming.”

Trump said he’s committed to his promise to end veterans homelessness.

Trump touted last week signing legislation to ensure military vets aren’t kicked out of their homes for late rental payments.

Trump then started telling the stories of some of the Purple Heart recipients in the crowd. Some of the veterans wore their military caps. Several took photos and videotaped Trump with their phones as he spoke.

As he talked about how one Purple Heart recipient who was injured by a roadside bomb, Trump referenced the 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani that Trump ordered during his first term.

“You know who did the road side bomb, right? It was Solimena. Where is he? Where is he? He was the father of the roadside bomb.”

Trump thanked three veterans in attendance who gave the president their Purple Heart badges last year following his Butler, PA assassination scare.

“Gerald, John and Thomas, I want to thank you very much. What a great honor to get those purple hearts — in a suit. It wasn't that easy for me either, when you think of it, but you went through a lot more than I did.”

Trump then signed a proclamation declaring today National Purple Heart Day. He next started talking and shaking hands with vets before exiting the room.

Joey Garrison

White House correspondent

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Twitter: @joeygarrison