Pool Report #5 -- Holiday gala in crosshall of White House

Pool was escorted through front door of the White House, facing the north lawn, a few minutes after 8 pm. The crosshall was jammed with largely Republican guests, spouses and significant others, in black tie and, in many cases, ball gowns. The President's Own Band, all marines, played to the right of the door; your pool was roped off from the crowd just a few yards into the White House foyer.

Vice President Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, were just in front of the pool, to the left of the front entrance. Most of the crowd was focused on the grand staircase, awaiting the arrival of the President and First Lady. Also spotted: Sec. of the Interior Scott Burgum, Speaker Mike Johnson.

People could barely move, because the whole crowd was stuffed into the crosshall. At 8:15 the president and the first lady descended from the staircase, under the portraits of the two Bushes, George H.W. and George W.

Trump looked invigorated by the crowd; the First Lady stood beside him at the podium.

The event was broadcast live so I won't be comprehensive:

POTUS opened by welcoming Democrats. "I see some faces that are friendly, but they could be friendlier."

"As you know, for 150 years, they've been trying to do a ballroom. They never got it off, but we got it all." He promised he would be able to get it finished in about a year and a half/

He talked about doing a dozen parties. "Eleven people are turned down for everyone that makes it,'' he said, "so it's a very good feeling."

He boasted of $18 trillion in investment in the past 10 months -- presumably promised investment -- and argued Biden never hit $1 trillion in four years. (Your pool has not had time to fact-check those numbers.)

"So tonight we are going to set aside all political differences. We're not going to criticize each other. We love each other, and we're going to come together."

"I think its' a tremendous tribute that so many Democrats have joined us today, at a high level."

Thanked Vance, Johnson, Thune, Steve Scalise. Told story of Scalise being shot. "They thought he wasn't going to make it. His wife was devastated...I know many wives who would not even be crying." Told of his recovery and how he played second base a year later, knocked down a hard hit ball, threw out a Democrat at first. "That was a miracle."

Spolke about Tom Emmer, the Minnesota Republican. "You are a difficult man, and Tom is very friendly with the Somalians."

He then claimed "tariffs have reduced the deficit by 64 percent,'' a figure that needs serious checking. "Wages are up with a typical worker by more than $1,000 a year," a figure that he used in the Oval earlier today.

He then talked about a near unanimous vote for Melania Trump's "Take It Down" act. She spoke briefly and alluded to another legislative drive she will press this year.

The President and FLOTUS then ascended back up the stairs to the residence, and did not mingle with the crown. Pool escorted out.

We have a lid.

David Sanger

New York Times

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David E. Sanger

White House and National Security Correspondent

1627 I Street N.W.

Washington, DC 20006

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