Travel pool #5: JBA landing + gaggle

Air Force One was off the ground in West Palm Beach at 6:36 p.m. and landed at JBA at 8:24 p.m.

The president came back to the press cabin at 7 p.m. and gaggled for just over 15 minutes. Your pooler’s position was not conducive to capturing clear audio, but here are a couple top lines from the conversation, which White House officials say was also streamed live.

On Iran: Trump will be involved in talks tomorrow “indirectly,” said they’re tough negotiators, and warned against Iran not coming to an agreement. “I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal.”

On Ukraine: He said they need to be willing to compromise in talks tomorrow.

The president declined to weigh in on allegations about the nature of Secretary Kristi Noem and aide Corey Lewandowski’s relationship, or whether he wants Noem to remain in her position for long. He said he didn’t know about the allegations but would “find out about it.”

He took questions on Cuba, Venezuela, Gaza and the Board of Peace, Taiwan, DHS funding, Marco Rubio as a 2028 candidate, the Texas Republican Senate primary, his upcoming trip to Georgia, concerns from troops on U.S. carriers about their deployment timelines, Gov. Wes Moore not being invited to the White House and his golf round this weekend with Gov. Ron DeSantis, Nick Saban and Urban Meyer.

The president declined to answer a question about if he gave the first lady a Valentine’s Day gift, but praised the new documentary about her.

Natalie Allison

White House Reporter

The Washington Post