Trump ditches press to eat dinner out with family
NEW YORK -- President-elect Donald Trump has broken with protocol by leaving his Trump Tower residence without taking along his press contingent.
The Trump transition team had informed reporters and photographers at Trump Tower that there would be no movement by the president-elect for the rest of the day and evening. Then, less than two hours later, a presidential-style motorcade left the building unannounced.
That sent the press corps scrambling to find out if Trump was indeed in the motorcade and where it was heading.
It turned out that Trump was having dinner at the 21 Club. Reporters and photographers caught up with him at the midtown Manhattan restaurant but were not allowed inside.
A spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, confirmed that Trump was having dinner with his family and she asked that the press respect that.
His motorcade left the area shortly after 9:30 p.m. Daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were spotted entering a Cadillac SUV at the back of the motorcade. Trump returned to his high-rise home a short time later.
The dinner came as reports indicated Trump’s transition team is in turmoil, although Trump tweeted on Tuesday night that his Cabinet search is “very organized.”