President Trump hosted three press conferences with world leaders in Great Britain on Tuesday, which lasted just over two hours. The press conferences come as criticisms for the White House not holding press briefings continues from members of the media.
Trump hosted the pressers with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, where a wide variety of topics were discussed. Trump and other world leaders are in the United Kingdom to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of NATO.
In total, Trump spoke with reporters for just over two hours.
Press access today:
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) December 3, 2019
Meeting with NATO secretary general Stoltenberg: 52 min
Meeting with French president Macron: 39 min
Meeting with Canada PM Trudeau: 30 minhttps://t.co/1AiPzM4yIw
Pool report pegs it at 121 minutes. @jcartillier @steveholland1 pic.twitter.com/HCcFn12zhp
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) December 3, 2019
"President [Trump] giving this kind of access to the press should be celebrated - not criticized," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted.
President @realDonaldTrump giving this kind of access to the press should be celebrated - not criticized. No other @POTUS in modern history has been this accessible and transparent with the media. https://t.co/igucHQ02il
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) December 3, 2019
During one of the press conferences, Trump again highlighted the need for other members of NATO to share the financial load when it comes to military spending. Stoltenberg credited Trump with strengthening the alliance with his calls.
"We are making real progress, most importantly, on the burden-sharing. And your leadership on defense spending is having a real impact. Since 2016, Canada and European allies have added $130 billion more to the defense budgets. And this number will increase to $400 billion...by 2024. This is unprecedented. This is making NATO stronger, and it shows that this alliance is adapting and responding when the world is changing," Stoltenberg said.