Earlier today President Trump hosted a luncheon with international ambassadors representing permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.  The president delivered remarks on the NATO summit this week, and took a few questions from the media. [Video and Transcript Below]

.
[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Okay, thank you very much. I just returned from London, where we had a tremendous success with NATO. The relationship we have with other countries is very, very good. It has to be good; otherwise, they wouldn’t have done what they’ve done.
As you know, NATO was suffering very badly from depletion of funds, and it was going down like a rollercoaster goes down. Not up, but down. And I was able to, over the last couple of years, increase their contribution — not the United States, because we were paying far more than anybody else, to put it mildly. It was really getting ridiculous.
(more…)

A much anticipated bilateral meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Zelenskyy. [Video and Transcript Below]

.
[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much, everybody. We’re with the President of Ukraine, and he’s made me more famous, and I’ve made him more famous. (Laughter.) I will say he’s got a great reputation. He’s very, very strongly looking into all sorts of corruption and some of the problems they’ve had over the years. I think it’s one of the primary reasons he got elected. His reputation is absolutely sterling. And it’s an honor to be with you.
(more…)

President Trump and Prime Minister Abe are essentially peas and carrots engaged in friendly economic competition.  The relationship between them is genuine warmth and respect. During their bilateral today President Trump praised the U.S-Japan announcement as big deal, adding it “took a lot of work to get it done.“
Abe has been my friend, POTUS said, adding that Japan – on his request – has been building their plants in the US. In Michigan, in Ohio.  Prime Minister Abe said: “Once again, I’d like to share with you my enthusiasm“ about this agreement. [Video and Transcript Below]

.
[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. We have some of our great farmers and ranchers and businesspeople in the room, and likewise Japan. And we have tremendous representatives — some of the biggest people anywhere in the world — what we’re going and the agreement that we just signed. And it’s an honor to have you with us. I thought you could join us for this meeting.
(more…)

President Trump holds a Press conference following his United Nations meetings and discussions in New York City.  The anticipated start time is 4:00pm ET
UPDATE: Video and Transcript Added

.
[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. Thank you.
Well, thank you all for being here. We’ve had a tremendous three days in New York, at the United Nations. I want to thank the Secretary-General. It’s been really incredible what’s been taking place. And he’s been a fantastic host to a lot of countries.
(more…)

This is too funny.  Serendipitous timing. President Trump is holding a bilateral meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine on the same day the transcript of the call between both leaders has been released.  There are multiple media outlets streaming the upcoming meeting.  Trump and Zelenskyy meet at 2:15pm ET, links below:
Fox News Livestream Link – Fox Business Livestream – CNBC Livestream Link

(more…)

The political planets are aligned to provide a considerably interesting day today.
If events happen as outlined in recent media reports, the White House will release the transcript of a call (underpinning a hearsay whistleblower complaint) between U.S. President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine (pictured below).
Additionally, the Intelligence Community Inspector General is expected to release research documents from his office showing a concerning political motive behind the hearsay whistleblower; a person who complained about the Trump-Zelenskyy phone call while not actually hearing the call, or reading what the call content was all about.

Exactly when the call transcript and ICIG documents are going to be released is an unknown. President Trump has a 12:10pm bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.  PM Abe is a very good friend of President Trump and together they have recently agreed to a set of sector specific trade deals; with more stuff in the works.
At 2:15pm things really get interesting, as President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will be holding their own bilateral meeting at the UNGA.  Media cameras are generally present for a short Q&A at the start of every Bilat, and obviously the #1 topic will be this mysteriously alarming phone call; with an opportunity for President Zelenskyy to address the U.S. political narrative therein.
(more…)

Today, President Donald J. Trump hosted President Barham Salih of the Republic of Iraq. The two leaders discussed how best to enhance our already robust partnerships on issues such as security, trade, and energy. Specifically, President Trump highlighted his strong support for the continued fight against ISIS and all terrorist groups. [Video and Transcript Below]

.
[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. We’re glad to be joined by the President of Iraq and his representatives. And I will say that we’ve had a very good couple of meetings with Iraq. We’re doing well with Iraq. It’s been a very long and complicated but friendly relationship, especially over the last little while. I was in Iraq a little while ago, as you know. And it’s fascinating what’s taking place.
(more…)

Today, President Donald J. Trump met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the United Nations General Assembly. The two leaders reaffirmed the value of their Special Relationship and discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties, including through a comprehensive trade agreement. They acknowledged the importance of protecting the security of telecommunication networks, especially 5G, and agreed to continue close coordination to address tensions in the Middle East and respond to Iran’s increasingly belligerent behavior.  [Video and Transcript Below]

.
[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much everyone. It’s great to be with my friend, Boris Johnson. He just got a position that he’s having a very easy time with. It’s much easier than he thought. (Laughter.) They’re saying, “Is it tougher or easier?” He said, “Well, it’s…” — I guess, what he expected. I think it’s pretty much what you expected.
PRIME MINISTER JOHNSON: It is.
(more…)

In his remarks to the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump lays out his vision for a more prosperous and free future for all nations. [WH Background Link]:
[Video Below – Transcript will Follow]

(more…)

Earlier today President Trump met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in (the Asian Obama) to discuss issues of mutual interests.  The relationship between Trump and Moon is one of the more interesting geopolitical dynamics.  President Moon is consistently flummoxed by the effectiveness of Trump and has learned to respect a strategy he doesn’t understand. [Video and Transcript Below]

.
[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. We’re pleased to be with President Moon of South Korea. We have a long-term friendship, and we are making a lot of progress. We are working on tremendous trade deals. We — as you know, we’ve completed a trade deal, and that’s working out very well for both countries. That deal is completed now, and it’s been in existence for — solidly in existence for six months. And it’s been very good.
(more…)