Sometimes you sit around the White House all day just praying Trump will emerge and take a question. That was my day on Friday. The president had no public events scheduled, except for leaving for his trip down to Mar-a-Lago.
If the weather is good, the president will catch a ride to the airport on his helicopter, Marine One. He typically stops to chat with the press if this is the case. If it’s poor weather, the White House will make a “bad weather call” and have the president motorcade to Joint Base Andrews.
Things were shaping up for a “good weather call” on Friday, but some snow and low temperatures almost spoiled that good news. After a day of sitting around the White House, I hated to go home empty handed without any sort of public appearance or press conference to report on.
And sure enough (although 30 minutes late) the president’s staff signaled to the press that Trump would be departing from the White House’s South Lawn.
It’s important to get a good spot during his departure. These events are “open press” so it means anyone from the media can attend. Sometimes there are dozens and dozens of reporters climbing over each other to try to get a question.
Most reporters line up hours ahead of time, trying to get a better position to ask a question. It’s essentially like waiting outside of a store on Black Friday.
We often stand shoulder to shoulder for an hour or so, waiting for the call that the president will be taking questions. We have to wait regardless of the weather conditions: snow, sleet, rain or shine.
Once the White House gives you the all-clear to line up for a spot at the press conference or event, reporters sprint through the Rose Garden, trying to pass each other in order to get a front row spot. You have to elbow and push your way around to ensure any aggressive reporters don’t try to sneak in front of you.
These tactics paid off for me, and I was in the very front of the crowd, cameras and lights surrounding me, ready for whatever the president might say.
As the president emerged from the White House just moments later, he walked straight to the press. Straight to me. He talked about the economy some, noting the improvement in the Dow, and then he took two questions.
I was the first one.