Out of town report #2: POTUS comments and Palm Beach arrival

Air Force One touched down at PBI at 7:38 p.m.

President Trump came back halfway through the flight to talk to reporters for about eight minutes. He spoke about his visit to Walter Reed, tariff negotiations, the case of a deported Maryland man, Iran, bond markets and the Masters.

As always please check against transcript/video.

On his visit to Walter Reed for his annual physical, the president said a report would be released by his doctor on Sunday. He said he underwent cardio and cognitive tests and he thought it went well.

“Overall I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart. A good soul. Very good soul. I took — I wanted to be a little different than Biden. I took a cognitive test. I don’t know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.”

Asked about the court order to return a Maryland man from El Salvador:

“If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court...I have great respect for the Supreme Court."

On tariff negotiations, President Trump said his administration is talking to “a lot of countries.”

"We're in a very good position."

On China specifically, he said he’s always gotten along with President Xi.

“I think something positive is going to come out of it,” Trump said of China.

Asked about the dollar:

“We’re the currency of choice. We’re always going to be&I think the dollar is tremendous.”

On the bond market: “The bond market’s going good. It had a little moment, but I solved that problem very quickly.”

Asked to what extent the bond market contributed to his adjusted tariff stance, he suggested it didn't. What was it?

"I want to out the country in an unbelievable economic position. Which is where we should be."

On Iran talks this weekend:

“I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”

Asked who he thought would win the Masters golf tournament, the president said, “They’re all friends of mine” and predicted a good finish. Coverage of the Masters played on TVs in the press cabin during the flight.

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Brett Samuels

White House reporter

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