Top Diplomat Briefly Halts Trump with Handwritten Note on Middle East Peace Deal
An urgent handwritten note delivered to Donald Trump by his top diplomat, Marco Rubio, suggested that an declaration regarding a peace agreement in Gaza could be made imminently.
Recorded in a image, the note's contents encouraged the president to authorize a post on his Truth Social network to break the news before others.
"Very close," the note read, according to the image. "We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first."
Shortly after the note was revealed, Trump published on his Truth Social network, stating he was "extremely pleased" to announce the first phase of the agreement.
"This means 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, Durable, and Enduring Peace," he stated.
The Moment the Note Was Handed to Trump
Trump was holding a roundtable event with right-leaning commentators about far-left groups when Rubio, positioned in the back corner of the White House's Blue Room, caught his eye.
He had news for Trump, he said, but it would have to wait until after the press departed. Subsequently, Rubio handed the president the note.
"I just received a note by the secretary of state saying that we're very close to a deal on the Middle East, and they're gonna need me soon," Trump said. "So we'll take a couple of more questions."
Behind the Scenes of the Peace Talks
The meeting had already been going on for more than an hour when Rubio first approached. The president welcomed him to come in, and Rubio whispered something to Trump before handing him the note.
The note's urgent tone coincided with 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 indication that delegates are working to tackle the most challenging topics of a American proposal to halt hostilities in Gaza.
Trump's Comments on Middle East Travel
Trump had begun the gathering by informing assembled journalists that he intended to travel to the Middle East "toward the end of the week" and could even "visit multiple locations" in the region to Cairo and perhaps Gaza as US diplomats neared completion of a deal.
Still, even after Rubio passed Trump the note, Trump kept speaking to the influencers and take questions from the media as the secretary of state became noticeably restless.
Wrapping Up the Meeting
Almost 10 minutes after his earlier statement 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 probably do an more effective job than me, but who knows."
"We don't want to take any chances. So we're going to go and do that," Trump continued.
He then suggested that Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem stay and take questions in his stead. Nonetheless, Trump continued to take questions before the event concluded without administration officials staying.
"We're gonna get peace in the Middle East," Trump wrapped by saying. "That is exactly what we want to do."