Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus follow President Trump and his new national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, after welcoming them at Miramar Marine air station. Photo by Ken Stone
Poway Mayor Steve Vaus has sung at the White House and seen Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush. But nothing like Wednesday — when he helped welcome President Trump to San Diego.
Vaus and Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein stood with military brass at the foot of Air Force One as Trump descended the ramp at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
“The whole reason I was there was to express Poway’s appreciation for how he and his administration stood by us over the last 144 days,” Vaus said, referring to the Passover shooting that left a Chabad of Poway congregant dead and several wounded.
A White House aide snapped photo of Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein with the president and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus. Photo courtesy Steve Vaus
Among the injured was Goldstein, still wearing a blue bandage on his right hand.
Vaus said Goldstein and Trump “have a real connection” growing out of that April tragedy and giving way to “constant contact” with the White House (“They keep checking in to make sure we have everything that we need.”)
The 58-year-old rabbi also visited the Oval Office.
Eight days ago, Vaus said, he and Goldstein sought to return the courtesy.
“The rabbi and I had jointly reached out to the White House to see if there was the opportunity in his schedule to come and visit the Chabad of Poway,” he said.
They couldn’t, but officials said: “How about you guys come and greet the president?”
Goldstein — who later attended the U.S. Grant Hotel luncheon where Trump was holding a fundraiser — wasn’t available for comment.
But Vaus said: “The president definitely seemed delighted to have the rabbi there. He said: ‘How are you doing? is everything OK?’”
Vaus, 67, called the minute-long chat surreal.
Pointing at Vaus, Trump told Goldstein: “This guy’s doing a great job, isn’t he?”
Vaus also had something for the commander-in-chief — a “mayor’s medallion” he had made about five years ago.
Poway Mayor Steve Vaus handed President Trump a mayor’s medallion like this one. Photos courtesy Steve Vaus
He handed it to Trump “as a token of our appreciation for the support he and his administration has shown,” Vaus said in a phone interview. “He seemed to really enjoy getting that, and he slipped it into his pocket.”
Thrills didn’t stop there.
Near the end of an animated conversation, he said, Goldstein “in all his New Yorkness said: ‘Mr. President, we need a picture with the mayor.’ So the president said: ‘Sure!’”
Vaus handed his iPhone 8 Plus to “the guy who was standing closest by.”
Turns out the silver-haired gentleman in gray suit and blue tie was Robert O’Brien, the U.S. hostage negotiator that Trump named as his new national security adviser only hours earlier.
O’Brien handed the phone to a younger man, who snapped a picture of a smiling Trump between Vaus and Goldstein — and handed the phone back.
Vaus had little expectations the late morning visit to Miramar — where he met Trump for the first time — would unfold as it did,
“Honestly, I didn’t know as we arrived if we were just there to be in the rope line, with everybody else, or what,” Vaus said. “It was quickly pretty clear that they had other plans for us.”
Vaus and Goldstein later watched as Trump shook hands, posed for selfies and autographed hats and other items for nearly 10 minutes before boarding Marine One and the helicopter trip downtown.
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Elevated platform offered security a high vantage point at Miramar base. Photo by Ken Stone
Sign signals “Welcome to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.” Photo by Ken Stone
Family members join welcoming crowd for President Trump at Miramar base. Photo by Ken Stone
A young girl wasn’t completely happy about being out in the sun for President Trump’s arrival. Photo by Ken Sone
A mom and child take selfie with Miramar base sign in background. Photo by Ken Stone
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus stay cool in shade before greeting President Trump. Photo by Ken Stone
A crowd member sports President Trump’s trademark ballcap. Photo by Ken Stone
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus head to join welcoming party. Photo by Ken Stone
Air Force One is wheels-down for landing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
Air Force One taxis toward camera crews at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
A Marine awaits taxiing Air Force One after 11:18 a.m. arrival at Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
A Marine salutes Air Force One after 11:18 a.m. arrival at Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
Flight line crew member sprints back after setting blocks for Air Force One. Photo by Ken Stone
Air Force One pilot takes a swig of soft drink after landing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
Marines watch Air Force One arrival from Los Angeles. Photo by Ken Stone
Marines file into area for president’s arrival — which came more than 20 minutes later than advertised. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump waves hello at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar upon exiting Air Force One. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump waves at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar upon exiting Air Force One in this September 2019 file photo. (Photo by Ken Stone/Times of San Diego)
President Trump salutes Marine brass upon arriving at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
Boom microphones catch comments by President Trump as Marines and family members await. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump salutes Marine brass upon arriving at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump chats with Rabbi Goldstein at Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump chats with a still-bandaged Rabbi Goldstein at Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump chats with a still-bandaged Rabbi Goldstein at Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump takes Rabbi Goldstein by the shoulders as they chat at Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
As Poway Mayor Steve Vaus looks on, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein chats with President Trump. Photo by Ken Stone
As Poway Mayor Steve Vaus looks on, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein chats with President Trump. Photo by Ken Stone
As Poway Mayor Steve Vaus looks on, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein chats with President Trump. Photo by Ken Stone
Local reporters interview children after President Trump departed Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump chats with Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, who he’s never met before. Photo by Ken Stone
Poway Mayor Steve Vaus hands his iPhone to a man he later learned was President Trump’s new national security adviser, Robert O’Brien. Photo by Ken Stone
A White House aide takes picture of President Trump with Poway mayor and Chabad of Poway rabbi. Photo by Ken Stone
A White House aide hands iPhone back to Poway Mayor Steve Vaus after taking picture of him and rabbi with the president. Photo by Ken Stone
Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus follow President Trump and his new national security adviser Robert O’Brien after welcome to Miramar Marine air station. Photo by Ken Stone
Chabad of Poway’s Yisroel Goldstein and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus chat as they trail the president. Photo by Ken Stone
Poway Mayor Steve Vaus rests a hand on Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein’s shoulder as they trail the president. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump, joined by his new national security adviser, applauds Marines and families as he approaches them. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump signals crowd with a fist as he approaches cordoned off area on Miramar flight line. Photo by Ken Stone
Marines are all smiles as President Trump greets service members and families awaiting him in low 80s temperatures. Photo by Ken Stone
A Marine takes a selfie with his top commander in the background. Photo by Ken Stone
A little girl waves goodbye to President Trump during his 10-minute visit to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
A little girl rides shoulders only feet away from the commander-in-chief. Photo by Ken Stone
A variety of headgear makes its way to President Trump for his signature. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump signs a Marine cap during visit with crowd at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
“The Art of War” is held aloft for a Trump autograph. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump was the focus of 20 media members and a sizable crew of Marine Corps photographers. Photo by Ken Stone
Holding a pen and surrounded by Secret Service team members, President Trump signals farewell to crowd. Photo by Ken Stone
Marines and service families wave goodbye to President Trump after his 10-minute stop at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump waves to Marines and military family members where he spent time autographing items. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump salutes as he boards Marine One with Robert O’Brien, his new national security adviser. Photo by Ken Stone
President Trump waves goodbye to a crowd of about 70 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo by Ken Stone
Marine One prepares to leave with President Trump for San Diego International Airport. Photo by Ken Stone
Marines stand at ease on flight line as President Trump nears end of Miramar visit. Photo by Ken Stone
Ospreys await to ferry national press to San Diego International Airport. Photo by Ken Stone
At Miramar, someone held out a copy of “The Art of War” by ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu for Trump to sign, which he reportedly did.
Vaus, a former children’s singer/songwriter, recalled how he sang at the White House and saw Reagan when he visited Washington for an America’s Cup celebration.
“I actually worked with the Reagan White House on the ‘Just Say No’ to drugs campaign,” he said. “But this is the first time I’ve really had a serious little … one-on-one with a sitting president.”
He added: “You know, when you see Air Force One roll up in all its majesty, and the president — no matter who the president is — standing at the top of the stairs, you realize that’s a lifetime moment.”
Afterward, Vaus drove Goldstein downtown.
“Rabbi Goldstein had been invited to attend the lunch, so I promised I would drive him down there,” he said. “I was his Uber driver.”
