Secretary of State Interrupts Trump with Handwritten Note on Gaza Peace Deal
An pressing handwritten message passed to the President by his top diplomat, Marco Rubio, indicated that an announcement regarding a ceasefire deal in Gaza might be made imminently.
Captured in a image, the note's contents encouraged the president to approve a message on his social media platform to break the news before others.
"Nearly there," it stated, as shown in the photo. "We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first."
Not long after the note was seen, Trump published on his platform, stating he was "extremely pleased" to reveal the first phase of the agreement.
"This indicates that ALL of the Hostages will be released shortly, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an mutually accepted line as the first steps toward a Robust, Long-lasting, and Enduring Peace," he wrote.
The Moment the Note Was Passed to Trump
Trump was holding a roundtable event with right-leaning commentators about far-left groups when Rubio, standing in the rear of the White House's Blue Room, got his attention.
He had news for Trump, he said, but it would have to be delayed until after the media left. Then, Rubio handed the president the message.
"I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we're very close to a deal on the Middle East, and they're gonna require my input soon," Trump said. "So we'll take a couple of more questions."
Background of the Peace Talks
The meeting had already been going on for more than an hour when Rubio came forward. The president welcomed him to enter, and Rubio quietly spoke something to Trump before giving him the note.
The note's urgent tone came as Trump's top Middle East adviser, Steve Witkoff, Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and other senior officials joined a third round of peace talks between Israel and Hamas at an Egyptian resort – a sign that negotiators are working to tackle the toughest issues of a US plan to halt hostilities in Gaza.
Trump's Comments on Middle East Travel
Trump had begun the influencer event by telling the press that he planned to travel to the Middle East "near the conclusion of the week" and could even "visit multiple locations" in the region to Egypt and perhaps Gaza as US diplomats neared completion of a deal.
Nevertheless, even after Rubio gave Trump the note, Trump continued to talk to the influencers and respond to queries from the media as the secretary of state became visibly anxious.
Wrapping Up the Meeting
Nearly 10 minutes after his initial comments about leaving, Trump said: "I have to go now to try and resolve some problems in the Middle East – although I'm very well represented by our secretary of state. He could likely do an more effective job than me, but who knows."
"We wish to avoid to take any chances. So we're going to go and do that," Trump continued.
He then suggested that Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem remain and answer inquiries in his absence. Nonetheless, Trump continued to take questions before the event finally broke up without Cabinet members staying.
"We will achieve peace in the Middle East," Trump concluded by saying. "That's what we want to do."