Subject: Pool report #2 Departure
President Trump walked out at 9:28 a.m. and took questions for about 10 minutes. Was tough to hear a couple of the questions and answers over the helicopter noise but some highlights. Please check quotes against tape/transcript.
He started off bragging about the economy.
“The economy is doing very very well.’
“The tax cuts are working very very well.”
He congratulated Netanyahu on his victory and said that will improve chances for peace in the Middle East.
He said he’d love to release his taxes but won’t.
“I would love to give them but I’m not going to do it while I’m under audit.”
“I have no obligation to do that while under audit and no lawyer would tell you to release your tax returns while you’re under audit.”
He said Democrats need to close loopholes in the asylum system because very bad people are taking advantage of them.
On Mueller report he said the investigation was illegal and an “attempted coup.” He said he hasn’t seen or read the report.
“No collusion, no obstruction. I won.”
“As far as I’m concerned I don’t care about the Mueller report. I have been totally exonerated.”
He said Herman Cain is a “wonderful man” and “somebody I like a lot.” Said he doesn’t know how he’s doing “in the process.”
Will send more quotes shortly.
After about 10 minutes of Q and A he boarded Marine One, which lifted off at 9:42 a.m.
Will send more quotes shortly.
Joseph Morton
World-Herald Bureau
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2019 9:59 AM
Subject: Travel pool report 1
Good morning from Joint Base Andrews. Marine One landed at 9:53, and President Trump boarded Air Force One at 9:56 after waving to reporters. We expect to take off soon.
He was followed by Sarah Sanders, Larry Kudlow and Dan Scavino.
Trump campaign chairman Brad Parscale and RNC Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel are flying with us to San Antonio. They both stopped by the press cabin to say hello before takeoff.
McDaniel said that the Trump campaign will raise at least $6 million at a pair of Texas fundraisers today in Houston and San Antonio.
We are running a little late. Our departure had been scheduled for 9:20.
The pool had an exciting morning making it to Air Force One, with a long gate delay that we believed was linked to Vice President Pence’s JBA departure around 9. The pool later learned that it may have been linked to Egyptian President Sisi’s departure.
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