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Trump Gaggles with Press at Joint Base Andrews, May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025 · The White House · 0:06:21

Embedded from the source channel — never re-uploaded. Watch on YouTube

What happened

President Donald Trump took questions at Joint Base Andrews on May 30, 2025, in a gaggle published June 2, 2025 on the White House channel, returning from his U.S. Steel remarks in Pennsylvania. “The U.S. steel workers are very happy. We did the tariffs. It’s going to put them even more competitive and it’s turning out to be a great deal,” he said. “$17 billion is being invested for new steel mills, new everything,” as he stated the figure, adding: “It’s going to be a USA deal. The board is controlled. More importantly, the money’s built, you know, and spent on facilities. You can’t take them and leave.” He said the final Nippon agreement still required his approval: “I have to approve the final deal with Nippon and we haven’t seen that final deal yet, but they’ve made a very big commitment and it’s a very big investment. It’s the largest investment in the history of the state of Pennsylvania in any deal, not just steel,” as he stated the claim.

Asked about Elon Musk, the President said: “I think he’s fantastic. I think Elon is a fantastic guy… Did a great job. And you know, DOGE continues and by the time it’s finished, we’ll have numbers that’ll knock your socks off,” as he stated his assessment. He also said the India-Pakistan clash had been stopped “through trade as opposed through bullets,” as he characterized the diplomacy.

Why it matters

This gaggle fixes the steel deal’s terms as the President states them on the day of the announcement — $17 billion, U.S.-controlled board, brick-and-mortar investment, and his own final approval still outstanding — alongside his on-record praise of Musk on the day of the Musk farewell press conference.

Scoreboard watch

This gaggle is a scoreboard reference point: the President’s May 30, 2025 statements that the Nippon investment totals $17 billion and that the final deal awaited his approval, each as stated by the President, to be checked against the closed transaction.

Sources: The White House, “President Trump Gaggles with Press at Joint Base Andrews, May 30, 2025” (official upload, embedded above; uploaded June 2, 2025). All figures and characterizations as stated by the President.