In town pool report #2 - event starts - comment on
- From
- Brian Bennett
- Sent
- Friday, January 16, 2026 10:20 AM
President Trump entered the East Room at 10:17 am.
He sat at a U shaped table along with other speakers for the discussion. Among the people at the table: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CMMS Administrator Mehmet Oz.
About 130 people are seated in chairs in the audience. There are a lot of guests in what look like white doctor's coats in the second and third row of seating. Before the event started, a Marine Corp ensemble played live music that could be heared through the Cross Hall.
Trump: "This is a very important one today."
President Trump saw Kevin Hassett in the front row and complimented Hassett's appearance on TV today. "We don't want to lose him Susie."
Brian Bennett
Senior White House Correspondent
TIME
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