>>8812524 (pb)
POTUS Schedule updated to reflect POTUS announced 6:00EST Briefing time
EST
3:00PM Participate in a video teleconference with Governors on COVID-19 response and economic revival
6:00PM Coronavirus Task Force press briefing
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https://publicpool.kinja.com/subject-updated-daily-guidance-and-press-schedule-for-1842905999
pool reporter on Truckers Event
Counted 5 Keys - 4 to Truckers, 1 to Secretary Chao=
POTUS led a short ceremony on the South Lawn to honor truckers who continue to make their runs during the pandemic. Lined up along the White House driveway were four trucks from FedEx, UPS, DHL and the American Trucking Associations. Four drivers and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao joined POTUS, who gave a loving pat to one of the trucks as he emerged from the Diplomatic Entrance to kick off the event at 2:28 p.m.
It is a sunny but chilly spring day around 54 degrees and this time POTUS wore his dark overcoat. He was positioned dozens of yards away from the press but stood close to the secretary and drivers. A voice coming from a loudspeaker evidently in front of the White House could be heard.
“In the war against the virus, American truckers are the
foot soldiers who are really carrying us to victory,” he said.
“Thank God for truckers,” he said. “That’ll be our theme: Thank God for truckers.”
He added that he knew the industry through his past work in business. “I’ve had many a concrete truck in New York delivering to my buildings.”
It is a sunny but chilly spring day around 54 degrees and this time POTUS wore his dark overcoat. He was positioned dozens of yards away from the press but stood close to the secretary and drivers. A voice coming from a loudspeaker evidently in front of the White House could be heard.
POTUS invited Secretary Chao to say a few words. “The whole country is cheering you on,” she said, addressing truckers. “Without you, it would be impossible to keep our economy moving and get medical equipment and essential supplies to where they need to be.” She added: “You are truly America’s heroes.”
Each of the four truck drivers then said a few sentences and were presented ceremonial keys by POTUS.
He said little of substance other than to note that he will be releasing a plan to reopen the country later in the day and will preview it in a call with the governors. “I think they'll be very happy with what we're doing,” he said. “They want to win this war and we’re going to win it.”
He pointed out that the Payroll Protection program had run out of money and needed to be replenished and said again that he hopes to work with Democrats on a $2 trillion infrastructure program that would please the truckers. “If we can get some Democrat support, you’re going to have nice roads again,” he said.
He noted that truck drivers were considered essential workers, then mused on his own designation. “I don’t know if they call me essential,” he said.
He looked ahead to the day when the economy would be running again. “Once we get going, the truckers are going to be working so hard you’re not going to be able to take a day of rest in between, maybe a couple of hours,” he said. He added, “I know plenty of truckers. They're great people.”
He praised Secretary Chao for doing an “incredible job” and gave her one of the keys as well.
As he departed, he ignored a question asking him to preview his reopening plan.
https://publicpool.kinja.com/subject-pool-report-4-1842906195