The White House press pool is being called for an unscheduled event in the West Wing, per @JenniferJJacobs. Looks like Trump wants to talk after markets got hammered again today.
The White House says Trump will discuss his "success in empowering members of the African-American community" in a meeting shortly in the West Wing. (There's a reception later tonight.)
Trump often turns these kinds of things into impromptu press conferences. So, we'll see.
Trump often turns these kinds of things into impromptu press conferences. So, we'll see.
We're still waiting.
Trump is here with many guests including Candace Owens and Diamond and Silk. 
Trump is having the entire table introduce themselves.
Two guests have called him the best president since Lincoln.
The scene.
Another guest just put on a MAGA hat.
There is now, suffice it to say, ample discussion among attendees about their frustration about when Trump is called a racist; the attendees do not believe that is accurate.
Diamond, of Diamond and Silk, says Trump is making history.
"Thank you so much. Thank you, first of all, for making Diamond and Silk famous," she says. She calls Trump a champion.
"Thank you so much. Thank you, first of all, for making Diamond and Silk famous," she says. She calls Trump a champion.
"You couldn't have been sitting at this table under the Obama administration," Diamond, aka Lynette Hardaway, says here at this West Wing event.
"This would not have happened under the Obama administration," Silk later adds, thanking Trump for inviting them.
"This would not have happened under the Obama administration," Silk later adds, thanking Trump for inviting them.
Trump is now speaking.
He's talking about HBCUs and also how he first encountered Diamond and Silk.
(No questions from press so far.)
He's talking about HBCUs and also how he first encountered Diamond and Silk.
(No questions from press so far.)
Trump notes he's going to South Carolina tomorrow.
"Some people say I'm trolling the Democrats, and maybe I am," he says.
"Some people say I'm trolling the Democrats, and maybe I am," he says.
Trump is now touting his response on the Coronavirus, namely restricting flights from China four weeks ago.
"We have done an incredible job, because we closed early," Trump says.
"We have done an incredible job, because we closed early," Trump says.
"I gave a press conference yesterday that really was a very good press conference," Trump says.
He says it was a "calming" press conference.
(He hasn't yet directly addressed the markets today.)
He says it was a "calming" press conference.
(He hasn't yet directly addressed the markets today.)
Trump is blaming the media now for, in his view, overstating the risk of the Coronavirus.
Trump repeatedly is coming back to saying that, were it not for him, Coronavirus would be worse in the U.S.
"15 people is almost, I would say, a miracle," he says. (There are 15 cases.)
"15 people is almost, I would say, a miracle," he says. (There are 15 cases.)
Trump says the Coronavirus could get worse before it gets better, or that it could just go away. Nobody knows, Trump says.
We're wrapping up. Jack Brewer, one of the guests, just said to Trump: "I gotta say this because it's black history month: man, you the first black president."
The guests then prayed for Trump.
The guests then prayed for Trump.
Trump, at the end, took one question on markets.
He blamed the press and Democrats.
"I think the press has been really out of line," he said.
Markets are pricing in possibility of a Democrat beating him, he said. "I think the markets also putting that into the equation."
He blamed the press and Democrats.
"I think the press has been really out of line," he said.
Markets are pricing in possibility of a Democrat beating him, he said. "I think the markets also putting that into the equation."
(He regularly warns that markets will crash if he loses.)
Oh and he got mad that a pregnant reporter slipped quietly out after standing for 90 minutes.
We're now in the East Room for an African American History Month reception.
The My Pillow guy is here also.
Trump says he likes the pillows.
Trump says he likes the pillows.
Trump gives a shout-out to Brewer, who earlier called Trump America's first black president.
Trump doesn't repeat the phrase at this event, which has more people, but thanks Brewer and says it was a beautiful statement.
Trump doesn't repeat the phrase at this event, which has more people, but thanks Brewer and says it was a beautiful statement.
During his remarks, Trump says he and the nation were saddened by the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter.
He says African Americans have lifted up the country to new heights in many fields.
He says African Americans have lifted up the country to new heights in many fields.
He's touting the record low unemployment rate nationally, including the low rate for African Americans.
He has twice, also, mentioned how he wants to win Minnesota this fall.
He has twice, also, mentioned how he wants to win Minnesota this fall.
"You've really been big beneficiaries of people who are smart," Trump tells the room.
His first example of a smart person is Senator Tim Scott. Trump talks about the opportunity zones initiative that Scott led.
His first example of a smart person is Senator Tim Scott. Trump talks about the opportunity zones initiative that Scott led.
In the old days, you'd say spokesman, Trump says. Now you say spokeswoman or spokesperson.
"I get treated unfairly, too. We all get treated unfair," Trump says to this largely black audience. Says the solution is to keep winning.
"I just want to congratulate the black community," Trump says, then he specifically cites he's congratulating them for progress made in the last three years.
Trump has now wrapped up his remarks at this reception.
