The White House Flip Side, March 10, 2018
While we catch the most important stories coming from the White House as they happen, some minor stories and small details fall through the cracks on busy news days. When they do, we pick them up … on the flip side.
note: this post is updated throughout the day as events warrant
See all of the daily White House Flip Side Chronicles HERE.
Presidential Itinerary – the details
The president’s summarized daily schedules can be found HERE.
President Trump left the White House at 5:14 p.m. en route to his “Make America Great” rally in Pennsylvania. He answered a question on North Korea before boarding Marine One at 5:18 p.m.
A question was shouted at the president as he headed towards Marine One.
q: “What now for North Korea, sir?”
Trump answered, “I think North Korea is going to go very well, I think we will have tremendous success. I think this is going to be something very successful. We have a lot of support. So I think North Korea is going to go very well. The promise is they wouldn’t be shooting off missiles in the meantime, and they’re looking to de-nuke. So that’d be great.”
Another reporter shouted a question about porn star Stormy Daniels that the president either didn’t hear or decided to ignore.
Marine One landed at Joint Base Andrews at 5:30. The president, wearing a dark suit and red tie, did not stop to speak to reporters and boarded Air Force at 5:33. Aides Stephen Miller and John DeStefano were with him.
The flight from Joint Base Andrews to Pittsburgh International (PIT) was uneventful. The airport is actually located in Moon Township, PA, where the president will hold his rally. A handful of people, including congressional candidate Rick Saccone and his wife, greeted the president as he disembarked Air Force One. The president then got into “The Beast” and the motorcade rolled at 6:47 p.m. EST en route to Atlantic Aviation where the rally is being held.
At 6:50 p.m. the presidential motorcade arrived at Atlantic Aviation just 20 minutes before the president is due to speak.
An estimated 2,000 people were in attendance inside the venue, no media outside the event has posted how many were unable to get in.
Signs at the rally included “Trump Pence,” “Promises Made Promises Kept,” and pink “Women for Trump.”
Trump took the stage at 7:05 p.m. while Lee Greenwood’s “I’m Proud to be an American” played.
The president spoke for about an hour and 15 minutes wrapping up at 8:20 p.m. and by 8:31 the motorcade was headed back to Air Force One for the return to the White House.
JBA touchdown occurred at 9:23 p.m. and the president quickly boarded Marine One which lifted off at 9:37 p.m. en route to the White House South Lawn.
Executive Actions
President Trump issued a Presidential pardon Friday for Navy Sailor Kristian Saucier who was jailed for taking photos of the inside of a submarine he was assigned to. The only official statement was made by White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders during Friday’s press briefing and Trump tweeted about it Saturday morning (tweet is posted below.)
Statements
On the new Head of Delegation to the Republic of Chile to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Sebastin Piera
President Donald J. Trump announced the designation of a new Head of Delegation to the Republic of Chile to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Sebastin Piera on March 11, 2018, in Valparaiso, Chile.
The Honorable Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services, will lead the delegation.
Members of the Presidential Delegation:
The Honorable Carol Z. Perez, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Chile
On President Donald J. Trumps Upcoming Visit to Latin America
From the Office of the Press Secretary:
President Donald J. Trump will travel to Peru next month to attend the Summit of the Americas in Lima and will meet with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Following the Presidents participation at the summit, he will travel to Colombia to meet with President Juan Manuel Santos. The trip will be the Presidents first to Latin America, and he will participate in a series of bilateral, multilateral, and cultural engagements. This travel demonstrates the Presidents resolve to deepen our historical ties with our partners in the region and to strengthen our joint commitment to improve security and prosperity for the people of the Americas. The President is looking forward to meeting with partners and allies who share our values and believe that the promise of a safe and prosperous future rests in strong democracies, fair and reciprocal trade, and secure borders.
Rally in PA on Saturday
President Trump’s re-election campaign announced a rally to be held near Pittsburgh, PA Saturday. Live Stream HERE.
Trump’s Tweets
At 7:08 p.m. Trump posted a single word tweet that said only “Epic.” The tweet was deleted within seconds and it is unknown what it was in response to.
The original link to the tweet is https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/972624941798404096 but now displays a page not found error.
Join me LIVE in Moon Township, Pennsylvania at 7:00pmE. Great crowd for a #MAGA rally!https://t.co/PYJNg0WGDL
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
The event can be watched live (or afterward) HERE.
The European Union, wonderful countries who treat the U.S. very badly on trade, are complaining about the tariffs on Steel & Aluminum. If they drop their horrific barriers & tariffs on U.S. products going in, we will likewise drop ours. Big Deficit. If not, we Tax Cars etc. FAIR!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
In the first hours after hearing that North Korea’s leader wanted to meet with me to talk denuclearization and that missile launches will end, the press was startled & amazed.They couldn’t believe it. But by the following morning the news became FAKE.They said so what, who cares!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings. I believe they will honor that commitment!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
Heading to Moon Township, Pennsylvania, to be with a really good person, State Representative Rick Saccone, who is running for Congress. Big & happy crowd (why not, some of the best economic numbers ever). Rick will help me a lot. Also, tough on crime & border. Loves 2nd A & VETS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
Spoke to Prime Minister Abe of Japan, who is very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea. Also discussing opening up Japan to much better trade with the U.S. Currently have a massive $100 Billion Trade Deficit. Not fair or sustainable. It will all work out!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
Congratulations to Kristian Saucier, a man who has served proudly in the Navy, on your newly found Freedom. Now you can go out and have the life you deserve!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
Chinese President XI JINPING and I spoke at length about the meeting with KIM JONG UN of North Korea. President XI told me he appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
Executive Branch Nominations
- None
Communications with Heads of State (readouts often come the day after the conversation)
Call with President Emmanuel Macron of France
President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with President Emmanuel Macron of France about the Presidents decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. President Trump underscored that his decision is necessary and appropriate to protect national security. Both Presidents discussed alternative ways to address United States concerns. The two leaders also conferred about President Trumps intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to ensure the complete and permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Both Presidents sharply condemned the Assad regime, and its Russian and Iranian sponsors, for the atrocities it has committed, including the bombing in East Ghouta.