Donald Trump promised restaurant diners: "I'll get your taxes down, don't worry about it", after slipping away from reporters to go for a family dinner in New York.

The President-elect's team told journalists he had no further engagements - an hour before his motorcade left Trump Tower.

His whereabouts were confirmed when a diner at the 21 Club tweeted a picture of Mr Trump arriving with his family and the secret service.

Standing ovation and cheers at Keene's steakhouse for @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/zJsA1t00Sk — Taylor Riggs (@RiggsReport) November 16, 2016

Surprised diners greeted Mr Trump with applause, handshakes and calls of "thank you", before he took his seat at a small round table with his wife Melania, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and daughter-in-law Lara Yunaska.

Image: Mr Trump's motorcade waits for him outside Manhattan's 21 Club

Video by journalist Hallie Jackson, who had a prior reservation, showed Mr Trump responding to the applause with: "I'll get your taxes down, don't worry about it."


The plush Manhattan restaurant, a former speakeasy during America's prohibition era, has hosted every US president since Franklin Roosevelt - except George W Bush.

Image: A secret service agent peers from a window as Mr Trump's motorcade leaves

Also present at the dinner were son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter-in-law Vanessa, who is married to Donald Trump Jr.

The unexpected appointment frustrated reporters used to the White House allowing a journalist to be near the president at all times to relay his first comments in the event of breaking news.

And if any one is curious, @realDonaldTrump ordered a virgin Bloody Mary this evening. Goodnight. — Kate Smith (@byKateSmith) November 16, 2016

Mr Trump has an uneasy relationship with news crews.

During his presidential campaign he condemned the media's behaviour, saying "there has never been dishonesty like it".