President Trump made an unannounced trip Saturday evening from the White House down Pennsylvania Avenue to Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
According to press pool reports, the president is dining at the hotel, though an administration official would not say who he is dining with. Trump’s public schedule had no events planned for the day.
Photos and video posted to social media appear to show Trump with his daughter Ivanka Trump and being cheered by onlookers as he walks through the hotel.
Independent Review Journal’s Benny Johnson tweeted that after the Secret Service swarmed the place, Trump sat down to eat with Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner, Florida Gov. Rick Scott (who had lunch with Trump earlier) and former U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage. Johnson added that Farage was not invited, but arrived last minute, and that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was dining with his wife across the room.
At Trump hotel. Secret Service swarms the place. Trump walks in, sits down next to me w/ Gov. Rick Scott, Nigel Farage, Ivanka & Kuchner pic.twitter.com/5ZgTUixvwR
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) February 26, 2017
Farage also shared on Twitter a picture of himself sitting with Trump and company.
Dinner with The Donald. pic.twitter.com/KAdvZ84d2Y
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) February 26, 2017
Johnson later asked Trump to confirm his tweet earlier which said he would not be attending this year’s White House Correspondents Association Dinner in April. Trump replied: “No, do you like that?”
I asked Trump if he would be attending the White House Correspondents Dinner.He said: "No. Do you like that?" People cheered behind me. pic.twitter.com/5uc6kAM0FI— Benny (@bennyjohnson) February 26, 2017
Around 20 bystanders were reported to be standing on the sidewalk “gawking” at the motorcade but there were no protesters in sight, the pool report said, before dispersing.
There are conflicting reports on whether the government of Kuwait is hosting a party at the hotel on Saturday evening. Outlets like Reuters reported on a Saturday evening event that could cost up to $60,000. However, CNN reporter Kate Bennett later tweeted out an invitation for an event hosted by the Kuwait Embassy for last Wednesday, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attended.
Editor’s note: The article has been updated to reflect that there are conflicting reports of an event Saturday evening at the Trump Hotel being held by the Kuwait government.
