By: Laura Soukkavong –
President Donald Trump spent the Columbus Day weekend moving between campaign rallies and questions about wars, energy supplies and his administration’s personnel, while promising $5,000 payments to adult Americans if Republicans win control of Congress. White House pool reports from Friday, October 9, through Monday, October 12, followed appearances in New York, Tennessee and Ohio, as Vice President JD Vance cast an early ballot and campaigned in his home state.
The reports documented the president’s public remarks, travel and interactions with supporters and protesters. His statements included campaign promises and allegations that were not accompanied by legislation, investigative findings or independent confirmation in the supplied reporting.
Friday began with a White House ceremony marking Columbus Day, where approximately 300 attendees gathered in the East Room. Christopher Macchio performed the national anthem before Trump delivered remarks celebrating Christopher Columbus and Italian American heritage.
Trump praised the restoration of Columbus monuments and discussed a statue outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. He also criticized opponents of Columbus commemorations, moved into claims about crime and energy policy, and concluded by recognizing prominent Italian Americans and inviting attendees to view the ballroom construction site.
At the same time, Vance traveled to Ohio with Second Lady Usha Vance and their children, accompanied on Air Force Two by Senator Bernie Moreno. The vice president arrived at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport at 10:55 a.m. before a brief stop at the family’s home.
Vance’s motorcade reached the Hamilton County Board of Elections in Norwood around 12:30 p.m. He presented what appeared to be identification, received his ballot and spent approximately five minutes completing it before placing the papers into a voting machine.