In-town pool report #15 - POTUS speaking

POTUS made his way to the podium to Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA at 9:33 p.m.and opened with a joke about the awards

Here is the official livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EFpaUNGFeE

Blitzer also awarded the integrity award to the New York Times' Tyler Pager.

ABC's Jon Karl then awarded the lifetime career achievement award to the AP's Susan Walsh and ABC's Melissa Young.

Jiang then took to the podium again and noted she is the first woman of color to lead the WHCA in the organization's history.

"There is a difference, though, an existential difference between criticizing the press and trying to undermine it. One is healthy, and it makes all of us better. The other is exactly what the founders hoped to prevent."

To POTUS:

"When we ask questions, you push back. You give us answers, and we push back. You have always been a deal guy. Well, that's the deal. The First Amendment is a done deal, and that's what we chose tonight. The freedoms that brought us back together, even after they were threatened. So let's raise a glass to what makes hours a beautiful country "

In my last pool report, I missed Harnik's organization, Getty.

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Naomi Lim

White House Reporter

Washington Examiner