Key moments as Trump and Abe address the press Welcome 'to the very famous White House,' Trump told Abe in his opening statement.

President Donald Trump, standing alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and facing down a string of controversies engulfing his young administration, took questions from the press Friday.

The president slammed a federal appeal court’s ruling against his controversial travel ban in a Friday morning tweet. And his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, is under fire for potentially breaking the law after reports emerged late Thursday noting he discussed sanctions against the Kremlin with the Russian ambassador in December, despite the administration’s past denials.


Here are highlights from the president’s joint news conference:

Welcome “to the very famous White House,” Trump told Abe in his opening statement. “Prime Minister Abe,” the president began, “on behalf of the American people, I welcome you to the very famous White House. You honor us with your presence. This is one of our earliest visits from a foreign leader, and I am truly glad that it could be from such an important and steadfast ally.”

Abe celebrated Trump’s presidency by heaping praise on a man he hailed as an “excellent businessman” who ascended to the presidency despite having no prior experience in government. “You have not experienced being in the public office, but you have fought the uphill struggle and [fought] for more than a year in the election campaign to become a new president, and this is the dynamism of democracy,” Abe said in his opening statement, which was translated into English by a translator. “I would like to celebrate and congratulate Donald being sworn in as the president.”

“My scores in golf is not up the level of Donald at all,” Abe conceded, adding a few strokes to the president’s ego ahead of their trip to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida later Friday. Abe said he is looking forward to the weekend and noted the two will play golf. “I’m always aiming for the cup. Never cut to just the goal with the shortcuts and short chops. Those are the words never found in my dictionary,” he said. “But in a relaxed atmosphere, I hope to take time to discuss with Donald on the future of the world, future of the region and future of Japan in the United States.”

“Namely, president.” Trump, acknowledging the youth of his presidency and defending his travel ban, said he’s “learned tremendous things” since he was inaugurated, including information about threats to national security. That information, Trump said, “that you could only learn, frankly, if you were in a certain position — namely, president.”

Trump said he andAbe have already “developed a great friendship,” citing their past meeting inside Trump Tower and their interaction earlier Friday. “When I greeted him today at the car, I was saying — I shook hands, but I grabbed him and hugged him because that’s the way we feel,” Trump said. “We have a very, very good bond. Very, very good chemistry. I’ll let you know if it changes, but I don't think it will.”