Moments after touching down at Joint Base Andrews on May 4, 2025, President Trump held a 12-minute on-board gaggle with reporters, addressing the high-profile exit of his National Security Advisor, pressing trade negotiations—particularly with China—and teasing upcoming semiconductor tariffs. He also previewed his plans for filling the NSC role and reiterated his “America First” trade doctrine.

Background of the Return Flight

President Trump departed Mar-a-Lago on the evening of May 4 after a weekend at his Palm Beach club, boarding Air Force One en route to Washington, D.C. . Upon arrival at Andrews, he immediately fielded questions in what Fox News described as a “live” session with the press 

National Security Advisor Shake-Up

Following the removal of Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor, President Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would serve in an interim capacity while a permanent replacement is vetted 

• Stephen Miller as Leading Contender: In the gaggle, Trump confirmed that Stephen Miller, his deputy chief of staff, is the frontrunner for the NSC post and suggested an official appointment could come within the next six months 

• Congressional Pushback: Representative Jim Himes warned that Waltz’s departure “weakens the administration’s national security team” by removing a “voice of reason,” and criticized Rubio’s dual role as unsustainable 

• Signal Controversy: Waltz’s exit follows the so-called “Signalgate” scandal, in which classified plans on Yemen strikes were inadvertently shared via a Signal group chat—an episode that underscored tensions over secure communications in the NSC 

Trade and Tariff Teasers

Aboard Air Force One, Trump reiterated his commitment to leveraging tariffs as a negotiating tool:

• China Trade Deal: He said his goal remains a “fair trade deal” with China, noting discussions are ongoing and hinting at possible announcements later in the week 

• Semiconductor Tariffs: Trump told reporters he will unveil details on new semiconductor tariffs “early next week,” signaling continued pressure on technology imports

• Long-Term Strategy: Reflecting on past agreements, he criticized Nixon’s opening to Beijing as a “mistake,” but maintained optimism that “China is eager to make a deal”—provided terms are equitable for U.S. workers 

Engagement with the Press

This on-the-fly gaggle marks Trump’s characteristic high frequency of media interactions—he has answered over 1,000 questions in his first month of the second term, far outpacing predecessors. His willingness to take unscripted queries underscores his “unfiltered” approach to presidential communication.

What’s Next

With the administration soon to mark its first 100 days after Congress’s swearing-in, these developments set the stage for:

1. A Permanent NSC Appointment: Watch for an official announcement on Stephen Miller or another candidate by late fall.

2. Tariff Roll-Out: Details on semiconductor and other reciprocal tariffs could reshape global supply chains.

3. Continued Gaggles: Given Trump’s media strategy, spontaneous press sessions aboard Air Force One are likely to remain a staple for conveying policy updates.

Sources:

• Fox News: Watch Live: Trump takes questions from reporters as he returns to DC 

• Reuters: Trump ousts White House national security adviser Waltz, replaces him with Rubio 

• Reuters: Trump says he is considering Stephen Miller for national security adviser 

• Politico: Rep. Himes says Waltz’s exit weakens the national security team 

• Al Jazeera: What led to Mike Waltz’s ouster as Trump’s national security adviser? 

• Reuters: Trump says he wants a fair trade deal with China

• Reuters: Trump says he will provide more info on chips tariffs on Monday