White house. The Communications DirectorMichael Dubke tendered his resignation on may 18th. No date yet on when hes leaving but its an important position inside the west wing and were hearing a lot of talk, a lot of buzz about perhaps a return of some old faces from the campaign. Corey lewandowski, david bossi, former Deputy Campaign manager. They were spotted outside the white house and theyve been talked about in terms of being part of this war room Rapid Response team thats being propped up both inside the white house and among the president s outside supporters. A lot to discuss for sean spicer and just going by the way things have been going, he may get a note in the mid dedle of the briefing advising him that there are other things to discuss. I was on that foreign trip for eight or nine days. We didnt get a president ial news conference. Got very few briefings by top officials and those briefings that we did get were off camera. So its comforting to see this white house put somebody forward and take questions from us. It has been a minute since weve seen sean spicers face. We look forward to it as well. Jim acosta, ill look forward to that and your questions. Let me bring in dana bash now to begin with your reporting that indicates that russians discussed this derogatory information about a financial nature. Do we know anything more about that . We dont have the specifics on, for example, who in the trump world and the Trump Organization they were focused on. The derogatory information, as you said, the fact that it was financial information, yes, and that russians were talking amongst each other but i should also tell you that as you were going on the air, our colleague simone just reported the following, which is a little bit different from what we reported but yet another layer of information about Jared Kushner. And ill tell you what he said. He said that the fbi is scrutinizing meetings Jared Kushner held with russias ambassador to the u. S. And a followup meeting that he had with a russian banker. And what theyre looking at specifically is the different information given from kushners world, which is that he was doing his job as somebody who was focusing on Foreign Policy, as his portfolio. And from the bank, the russian bank saying, no, no, no, we were talking to him about his role at the time as still the head of the Kushner Organization of Kushner Enterprises excuse me. Kushner companies is the exact word and kushner was then the head of it. The differing explanations is one of the things, one of the many things, it seems, that the fbi is looking at in this broad investigation. And just a quick follow up on that since the readout on that is different, one is that it was business and the other is syria. Why the heck would Jared Kushner, after just talking to the ambassador of russia, talk to this russian banker, this buddy of Vladimir Putins, about syria . I dont know the answer to that. Thats clearly one of the things that the russian investigators are going after. The idea was that this banker is not just a banker. He is somebody who is incredibly close to Vladimir Putin and perhaps it was a way to get a message to the russian leader by somebody who the russian leader trusts and is a confidant of his. Having said that, that is point a to point b and it is that truth that the fbi is trying to figure out as we speak. Okay. Steve hall, i know youre a retired cia chief. To danas answer on this meeting with Jared Kushner and this compound of putins and might this have been an opportunity to get a message to Vladimir Putin and to danas reporting on this information that they pulled. Your thoughts . Its interesting and i can only think of two possible options for it. The first is weve heard a lot of information being thrown around about kushner looking for back channels. The Trump Administration looking or before its inauguration looking for back channels. Somebody like the head of this bank who was indeed close to putin hes a former Intelligence Officer having gone to the Training School so its clearly theres a connection there and was just kushner looking for another way to start sort of communication prior to the inauguration . Thats one option. The other thing and i think its a bit more toubliroubling,e at least, kushner is first and foremost a new york businessman whos had business and ties with russia. So was there a business angle to this . Was there something more than just him acting as a member of the trump team and where did those overlap and was there a conflict of interest there . Those are things that im sure folks are trying to get to the the bottom of, like the folks investigating this as well as mueller. Evan mcmullin, former cia, he said it was direct communications with the kremlin, not just a simple back channel. The question also being why not just wait 40 days between the time of the meeting and that inauguration . Lets put that on hold. We know that issue will be addressed in this briefing. Gloria borger, let me bring you in. Let me first ask you about the fact that weve just learned that the president s personal lawyer Michael Cohen is refusing to cooperate with this investigation as its widening. Your take on that . Well, first of all, Michael Cohen is very close to donald trump. Hes worked for him for more than a decade as a personal lawyer, lawyer for the Trump Organization, really. He said that they are on a fishing expedition with him and that people on the intelligence committees would argue that they are not. But since hes saying this is too broad, i wouldnt be surprised if they started to narrow their requests so they cant be seen as, you know, fishing for anything can hoe co. We know that cohen has helped in setting up the legal team representing the president in this russia investigation. So, you know, you cannot discount the closeness between these two men. They are good friends and one is very, very loyal to the other and i think the committee may go back and try and narrow its request before they get into some sort of a war with Michael Cohen. Well have to see. Well see that. Also, you have this incredible reporting here on the president s state of mind. Not only making news but state of mind. One quote from someone who talks to trump, he now lives within himself, which is a dangerous place for donald trump to be. I see him emotionally withdrawin withdrawing. I want to ask you all about that and well take the briefing live in a couple of minutes. Stay with me. Rally beautiful, fresh and nutritious. So there are no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives in any of the food we sell. We believe in real food. Whole foods market. All right. Lets go live to the white house. Sean spicer behind the podium for the first time in 15 days. Lots to tackle. Good afternoon. I hope you all had an opportunity to pay your respects to the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom on memorial day. I want to begin by recapping the historic trip that the president and first lady had. In just nine days, the president traveled across europe and the middle east and interacted with nearly 100 foreign leaders. It was an unprecedented first trip abroad. Just four months into this administration and it shows how quickly and desize scisively th president is forming new partnerships and rebuilding americas standing in the world. Weve never seen before at this point in a presidency such sweeping reassurance of american interests and the inauguration of a Foreign Policy strategy to bring the world back from growing disasters and under years of failed leadership. The president s trip began in saudi arabia in the nation that is the custodian to the two holiest sites in the islamic faith. The president was greeted by the king of saudi arabia and received with incredible graciousness by the kingdom and its leaders throughout his stay. The president s address to the leader of more than 50 arab and muslim nations was an historic turning point. He did exactly as he promised in his inaugural address, united the civilized world and fight against terrorism and extremism. The president was direct in calling on the leaders to drive out the terrorists from their midst and isolate the regime that supports so much of this violence. He letted tcalled it a, quote, principled realism rooted in common values and shared interests. He laid out the case in persuasive detail for why the muslim world must take the lead in combatting radical islam and said unified and determined to do what it takes to destroy the terror that threatens our world then there is no limit to the great future our citizens will have. The president s historic speech was met with nearly universal praise. Jim woolsey called it a courageous speech. Newt gingrich said we have to look back decades to find a comparatively dramatic moment in the history of u. S. Foreign policy and former democratic representative jane harmon said she, quote, loved the idea that hes going to the font of all three religions. Allies also praised the president s leadership. El sisi of europe said capable of doing the impossible and said this is the beginning of a turning point in the relationship between the United States and the arab and islamic world. King salman and other key allies also gave extraordinary praise speeches at the summit underscoring just how much President Trump has done to rally the world against terrorism. We cannot overlook the significance of so many countries coming together to recognize the need to fight extremists. This was a historic event in that regard alone. King salman said he shares the president s determination to, quote, renounce extremism and work on countering terrorism in all of its forms and manifestation. King abdel la ullah said it req koor coordination and action at every level. The visit also included historic economic deals for the United States, totalling well over half a trillion dollars and the creation of tens and thousands of american jobs. These deals include an immediate 110 billion invest met which will grow to 350 billion over the next ten years in defense cooperation from saudi arabia that will further enable muslim troops to take on a greater role in fighting terrorism. The president participated in a launch to protect terror funding in the gulf, combatting extremist ideology and more than 30 commercial deals that include Companies Like lockheed martin, boeing, dow, sysco, among others, that will result in an additional 270 billion of saudi investment in american businesses and american jobs. The president then went to israel where he was received with incredible warmth. He strengthened americas unbreakable bonds with israel and made the first visit by a sitting president to the western wall as part of a continuing effort to rally nations together in the fight begins terrorism and common enemies. This spoke of a future in which, quote, children around the world should be able to live without fear, dream without limits and prosper without violence. He said, i asked this land to promise me in joining to fight against our common enemies, pursue our shared values and protect the dignity of every child of god. The president also memorialized the victims of the holocaust and pledged to, quote, never happen again. He also discussed with both leaders how to increase cooperation against terrorism. Prime minister netanyahu said, quote, for the first time in my life, i see real hope for change. And a correspondent one of leading publications said in the short space of three days trumpcare r trump carried out a semirevolution. The president and first lady were incredible honored by the visit. The president then attended the nato summit in brussels and called on other nato countries to pay their fair share on a speech delivered with the leaders of natos countries all present. Hardworking americans saw a leader represent them and their security on the international stage. The president urged nato to adapt the alliance to combat terrorism. The Member States unanimously agreed on those two priorities and the secretary general was complementary on the president s work to strengthen the alliance by getting Member States to increase their contributions. Finally, the president traveled to the g7 summit in sicily. Those meetings were marked by outstanding success that we see reflected in the communique that was issued. They include a strong statement that g7 stations will stand against unfair trade practices and a commitment to fostering a truelevel Playing Field. Endorsed in that communique, seeking resettlement of refugees and the g7 also condemned the use of chemical weapons and needless to say the president s leadership was critical in setting those priorities for the nation. In addition, the president also met with Prime Minister abe of japan. The two agreed on the need for enhanced sanctions with respect to north korea. The president concluded his trip with an address to the Service Members and their family at naval station to thank them for their service on memorial day weekend. Then yesterday, President Trump spoke at Arlington National cemetery for Memorial Day Services and visited the grave sites of many of our fallen heroes. This was an extraordinarily successful nineday trip the president took and rallied civilized nations of the world against terrorism, took real steps towards peace in the middle east and renewed our alliances on the basis of both shared interests and shared burdens. The trip sets the stage for a much more safe and prosperous nation here at home and a more Peaceful World for all. Were back at home now and the president is moving full steam ahead on the president s agenda. As the president noted this weekend, his plan for the significant tax reform continues to progress led by secretary mnuchin and director cohn. The team held several meetings in leadership and mnuchin met with the house ways and Means Community and the republican study committee. The Vice President also discussed tax reform with multiple members and with leadership during his regular visits to capitol hill. Well begin Holding Industry listening sessions next week providing an opportunity for Business Leaders and job creators to give us their inputs on what reforms are necessary to allow us to grow jobs in the economy. This morning, the president met with epa pruitt and discussing the paris climate accords. I told you overseas that the president is spending a great deal of time about and spoke to the g7 members about during their meetings. He wants a fair deal for the American People and hell have an announcement on that coming up shortly. Also, today, ambassador lightheuser is meeting with the Prime Minister and trade minister ahead of tomorrows visit between the president and Prime Minister. U. S. Trade representative will have readouts on that later this afternoon. This evening its the vietnamese Prime Minister speech and thats available via the Facebook Page and while underscoring the work ahead and addressing the challenges presented by the recent sharp increase in our trade deficit with vietnam. As the president has made abundantly clear, trade deficits and unfair trade practices has unpro forgs nately hit American Workers and its strengthening our important relationships with partners like vietnam by leveling the Playing Field with american businesses throughout the world. With that, ill take your questions. Im wondering if you can tell us when the president knew whether the president knew at the time that Jared Kushner was seeking back Channel Communications at the Russian Embassy to the russian government. And if he didnt know at the time, what did he find out . I think that would assume a lot. Kushners attorney has said that hes volunteered to share with congress what he knows about these meetings and will do the same thing if hes connected with any other inquiry. Did the discuss that with him . Im not go going to get into what the president did or did not discuss. Yo. Does he approve of that action . Youre asking if he approves of an action that is not a confirmed action. That being sect, secretary kell and general mcmaster have discussed that in general terms back channels are an appropriate part of diplomacy. Does the white house dispute that that happen . Your question presus supposes facts that have not been confirmed. Thank you, sean. The president retweeted this morning an article about that back channel that was based on an anonymous source that said there was an effort to set up a back channel, that the russians suggested that and that it was to talk about syria. Was the president not confirming that that effort that there was an effort in the facts that i just said . I think what i just said speaks for itself. But you said that the article was based on Anonymous Sources. Which it is. But what the president retweeted was also based on Anonymous Sources. Why is t