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The White House • December 4, 2018 ‘Thank you for sharing this special man with our Nation’ As America mourns the loss of its 41st President, George H.W. Bush, President Donald J. Trump and the First Lady have extended condolences and appreciation to the entire Bush family on behalf of a grateful Nation. Last night, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to the U.S. Capitol to pay their respects as former President Bush lay in state. Earlier in the evening, Vice President Mike Pence paid tribute to the 41st commander-in-chief, remembering his character, wit, and lifelong commitment to public service. “On behalf of the First Family, and my family, and the American people, we offer our deepest sympathies and respects to your family,” Vice President Pence told former President George W. Bush and other family members gathered in the Capitol Rotunda. “And we thank you for sharing this special man with our Nation and the world.” Today, First Lady Melania Trump hosted former First Lady Laura Bush at the White House, giving her a personal tour of this year’s Christmas decorations and theme, “American treasures.” A few hours later, she and President Trump paid the Bush family a personal visit at Blair House across the street from the White House grounds. President Trump and the First Lady will attend President Bush’s State Funeral ceremony tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET. Video: President Trump and the First Lady pay their respects. Read: The First Family’s statement on the death of George H. W. Bush Larry Kudlow: We expect China’s auto tariffs to go to ‘zero’ After signing the trade deal that will replace NAFTA at the G20 Summit in Argentina last week, President Trump held breakthrough talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that could reshape American trade for a generation. “President Xi and I want this deal to happen,” President Trump tweeted today. As part of Saturday’s meeting, China has agreed to start purchasing agricultural product from U.S. farmers immediately. Another huge point of concern for President Trump is Chinese auto tariffs on American cars, currently set at a staggering 40 percent. That topic was a key point of discussion during the two leaders’ working dinner. Larry Kudlow, Director of the National Economic Council, said that while a specific deal would need to be negotiated, Presidents Trump and Xi reached an “understanding” in Argentina that China’s 40 percent tariffs would soon disappear. “We expect those tariffs to go to zero,” Kudlow said—adding that America will know soon whether China is serious about an agreement. President Trump championed growth and prosperity at the G20 Summit. Video of the Day President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pay their respects to late President George H.W. Bush at the United States Capitol. | December 3, 2018 The White House • December 5, 2018 In photos: America’s solemn farewell to its 41st President This morning at 11 a.m. ET, President Donald J. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and each of America’s four living past Presidents and their spouses attended the State Funeral honoring the life of President George H. W. Bush. “He looked for the good in each person, and he usually found it," President George W. Bush said of his father during his eulogy at the National Cathedral in Washington. “Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary, that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the important values like faith and family.” President Trump, the First Lady, Vice President Mike Pence, and Second Lady Karen Pence all visited the U.S. Capitol earlier this week as President Bush lay in state. “When President George Herbert Walker Bush left office, he left America and the world more peaceful, prosperous, and secure,” Vice President Pence said on Monday. President George W. Bush concluded his eulogy with a message directly for his father. “We're going to miss you,” America’s 43rd President said to its 41st. “Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever.” Indeed, it will.  In photos: America’s solemn farewell to its 41st President Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour The funeral procession of former President George H. W. Bush passes in front of the White House en route to the Washington National Cathedral | December 5, 2018 ‘A Great and Noble Man’: Bush Honored One Last Time in Washington “A military band played ‘Hail to the Chief,’ cannons sang out a 21-gun salute and the presidential jet took to the sky, lifting former President George H.W. Bush away from Washington one last time,” Stephan Dinan writes in the Washington Examiner. “He stood in the breach in the Cold War against totalitarianism. He stood in the breach in Washington against unthinking partisanship. He stood in the breach against tyranny and discrimination. And on his watch, a wall fell in Berlin, a dictator’s aggression did not stand and doors across America opened to those with disabilities,” biographer Jon Meacham eulogized at the National Cathedral in Washington. Click here to read more. “The U.S. Navy will honor the late President George H.W. Bush with a record-breaking 21-aircraft memorial flyover formation on Thursday when the president is laid to rest in College Station, Texas,” Maria Biery reports for the Washington Examiner. “Naval aviators will fly in a ‘missing man’ formation, which typically only involves four planes. The tribute to Bush will mark the largest missing man formation ever performed, according to Navy officials.” In The Daily Signal, Riley Walters writes that new trade negotiations between the United States and China are off to a successful start, with the recent meeting between President Donald J. Trump and President Xi Jinping of China being pivotal. “The two sides agreed to a process that will begin to address many of the outstanding tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and importantly, intellectual property complaints the U.S. has against China.” “President Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow says subsidies for electric cars and other renewable energy programs might soon be eliminated. That would be a major victory on the road to energy freedom,” the Investor’s Business Daily editorial board writes. “The government shouldn't be picking winners and losers in the marketplace. That's especially true of energy, the lifeblood of the world economy.” The First Family Meets Privately with George W., Laura Bush to Offer Condolences “President Trump and first lady Melania Trump met privately Tuesday evening with former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush on the eve of funeral services for former President George H.W. Bush,” Brett Samuels reports in The Hill. Thousands of Americans have visited the Capitol this week to pay respects to former President Bush, whose remains lay in state there until this morning. President Trump has declared today a national day of mourning, coinciding with State Funeral services for our 41st President at the National Cathedral. Click here to read more. In The Hill, Emily Birnbaum reports that First Lady Melania Trump hosted members of the Bush family, including former First Lady Laura Bush, for a special tour of the White House Christmas decorations. “A sweet visit during this somber week," the former First Lady wrote on Instagram. “Thanks to Mrs. Trump for inviting our family to the White House to see the Christmas decorations and our old friends, the residence staff.” Today’s State Funeral for former President George H. W. Bush “will be attended by President Trump and the four living ex-presidents—Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama,” David Sim of Newsweek reports. “Dignitaries from around the world are expected to attend the state funeral, including Britain’s Prince Charles and former Prime Minister John Major, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, and Poland's President Andrzej Duda and former President Lech Walesa.” More: President Trump’s Proclamation on the death of George H. W. Bush Vice President Pence: George H.W. Bush ‘Never Failed to Answer the Call to Serve His Country’ As former President George H. W. Bush lay in state at the United States Capitol last night, Vice President Mike Pence offered condolences on behalf of the Nation to the Bush family and honored the 41st President’s extraordinary life. "While he was known as the ‘quiet man,' it was not for lack of nerve or daring," the Vice President said of the 41st commander in chief, with former President George W. Bush and other Bush family members in attendance. “Today, on behalf of the First Family, and my family, and the American people, we offer our deepest sympathies and respects to your family. And we thank you for sharing this special man with our nation and the world.” Click here to continue reading. “Hours after the body of former President George H.W. Bush arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid their respects to the 41st president of the United States. Trump visited the late president’s flag-draped casket in the building’s rotunda, where Bush will lie in state until Wednesday morning before being transported to the National Cathedral for a private state funeral, which Trump is scheduled to attend,” Nicole Darrah writes in Fox News. “President Trump scored major successes at the G-20 summit that concluded over the weekend in Argentina. Specifically, the community of nations agreed in their official communique to ‘necessary reform’ of the World Trade Organization, a top White House priority,” financial expert Liz Peek writes in Fox News. “In addition, the Chinese promised to up their purchases of U.S.- made goods and to discuss other demands in exchange for postponing an expected hike in tariffs.” “A majority of ‘non-citizens,’ including those with legal green card rights, are tapping into welfare programs set up to help poor and ailing Americans, a Census Bureau finding that bolsters President Trump’s concern about immigrants costing the nation,” Paul Bedard reports for the Washington Examiner. “In a new analysis of the latest numbers, from 2014, 63 percent of non-citizens are using a welfare program, and it grows to 70 percent for those here 10 years or more, confirming another concern that once immigrants tap into welfare, they don’t get off it.” President Trump Declares Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush “President Trump declared Wednesday a national day of mourning for former President George Herbert Walker Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94,” Courtney McBride and Michael Wright report for The Wall Street Journal. “President Trump said Mr. Bush inspired generations of Americans to public service,” they add. “Along with his full life of service to country, we will remember President Bush for his devotion to family—especially the love of his life, Barbara,” the President said in a statement with First Lady Melania Trump. Click here to read more. “President Trump honored the victims of the October shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue as he marked the start of Hanukkah and denounced the hatred that Jews still face,” Melissa Quinn reports in the Washington Examiner. “As one nation, we pledge our continued love and support for the victims, their families, and the community, and we pray that the victims’ families find some measure of peace and comfort during this holiday season,” the President said in his Hanukkah message to Americans. “U.S. President Donald Trump was able to extract a number of concessions from Chinese President Xi Jinping in exchange for not imposing any new tariffs on Chinese goods,” Jason Hopkins writes in The Daily Caller. “Xi agreed to immediately begin buying more agricultural products from American farmers, along with a pledge to purchase more industrial and energy products.” “Palestinians deserve more from their leadership than political statements and bargaining positions,” U.S. Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt writes in The National. “Over the past 22 months, we have focused on a comprehensive peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are hopeful that Israel and the Palestinians will engage with the Trump Administration’s plan.” In MarketWatch, University of Maryland economist Peter Morici writes that through President Trump’s tax cuts and deregulation, American wages are getting a boost. “After a decade of frustration, workers’ pay appears to be rising faster than inflation. Private-sector wages were up 3.1% in the third quarter from a year earlier, well ahead of consumer price inflation.” REAL NEWS PRESIDENT TRUMP DOESN'T WANT YOU TO MISS Trump, Obama Praise George H.W. Bush's Inspirational Life of Service -Washington Examiner “The inspiring life of former President George Herbert Walker Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94, helped ignite the thousand points of light he saw as illuminating American greatness, hope and opportunity, said President Trump,” Allison Elyse Gualtieri reports. “Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service,” President Trump said in a statement. Trump Signs NAFTA Replacement Deal with Mexico, Canada —Washington Examiner Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump signed a historic trade deal with Mexico and Canada that will replace the outdated NAFTA. “Trump signed the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement in Argentina on the side of the G-20 summit,” Pete Kasperowicz reports in the Washington Examiner. “This is a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever, and this is an agreement that first and foremost benefits working people, something of great importance to all three of us here today,” President Trump said. Melania Trump Shows Off White House Decorations —Fox News First Lady Melania Trump took Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt behind the scenes of the White House Christmas decor the First Lady says represents the “bravery, heart, and patriotism” of our country, Gregg Re writes. The First Lady and Earhardt “toured some of the most iconic locations in the Presidential residence, and the first lady offered personal thoughts on what the display means to her,” Re adds. View the decorations in sixty seconds! Trump, First Lady Participate in Tree Lighting Ceremony —CBS News President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump “participated in the 96th National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse outside the White House on Wednesday, with the White House grounds fully decked out for the holidays,” CBS News reports. “The president had the crowd count down to the tree lighting with him. The tradition draws hundreds of spectators each year, even in frigid conditions.” Watch President Trump and the First Lady lead the National Christmas Tree lighting. DHS: 110 Percent Surge in Migrant Men Using Kids to Enter US, ‘Rampant Fraud’ —Washington Examiner “Educated on a legal loophole that lets migrant ‘families’ with kids enter the United States, the Homeland Security Department reported Tuesday that men showing up with kids at the border has spiked 110 percent in just the last two years,” Paul Bedard reports. “The department noted that children could be used by smugglers and drug traffickers to enter the country. Families are also using fraud to game the immigration system. The department said that 170 families have been caught lying about their relationships to enter the U.S.” US Consumer Spending Up Strong 0.6 Percent in October  —The Associated Press “Consumers boosted their spending in October at the fastest pace in seven months, while their incomes rose by the largest amount in nine months — both good signs for future economic growth,” Martin Crutsinger reports. “Consumer spending rose a sharp 0.6 percent last month, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. It was the biggest increase since a similar gain in March.” Ivanka Trump Praises the ‘Laboratories of Innovation’ Like Idaho During School Visit —Idaho Statesman Students at Wilder Elementary School greeted two special guests this week: Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook. The two guests “embarked on a nearly hourlong tour of the school, visiting classrooms and watching students demonstrate their technological skills on the handheld devices Apple provided the school district nearly three years ago,” Cynthia Sewell reports. “This is what is so exciting, the harnessing of technology in conjunction with incredible educators to create this type of really personalized learning experience,” Ms. Trump said. Zinke: What It Will Take to Prevent Deadly Wildfires —CNN “President Donald Trump and I both saw the devastation of the fire on our recent trips to California: piles of rubble recognizable as houses only by their chimneys and charred appliances, and vehicles melted to the pavement in pools of molten aluminum,” Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke writes. “We also saw the heroism of firefighters, first responders and volunteers working together to battle the blaze and help the community.”