STORY: U.S. President Trump sounded an optimistic note as Hamas officials arrived in Egypt on Sunday (October 5) ahead of talks with Israel that the U.S. hopes will lead to a halt in fighting and the freeing of hostages in Gaza.

Trump told reporters that "We had some very good meetings."

Israeli negotiators led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were to travel to Egypt on Monday for negotiations in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh about the release of hostages, part of Trump's plan to end the nearly two-year Gaza war.

As Trump returned to the White House, he also said that firing of federal workers "is taking place right now" as he blamed the shutdown on democratic lawmakers.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP RETURN TO WHITE HOUSE

SHOWS: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 5, 2025) (U.S. NETWORK POOL - No use USA)

1. MARINE ONE LANDING ON WHITE HOUSE LAWN

2. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP EXITING MARINE ONE

3. TRUMP WALKING OVER TO REPORTERS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, SAYING:

"(JOURNALIST OFF-CAMERA ASKING TRUMP IF HE HAS SET A DEADLINE FOR HAMAS TO RELEASE HOSTAGES) Very quickly. We had some very good meetings. The countries of the world, a lot of the countries surrounding Israel frankly, Muslim, Arab and many others have had great meetings with Hamas. And it looks like it is working. So, we will wait for a little while to see how it all turns out. (JOURNALIST OFF-CAMERA ASKING WHAT THE DEADLINE IS) We work very quickly. I think it is going to go very quickly. The meetings seem to be very good. We will find out. We will let you know soon."

5. WIDE OF TRUMP SPEAKING TO REPORTERS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, SAYING:

"(OFF-CAMERA JOURNALIST ASKING WHEN WILL TRUMP BEGIN FIRING FEDERAL EMPLOYEES DURING THE SHUTDOWN) It is taking place right now. And it is all because of the democrats. The democrats are causing the loss of a lot of jobs. It's a shutdown. It is their shutdown. It is not our shutdown, it is their shutdown."

7. TRUMP THANKING JOURNALISTS

8. TRUMP HEADING INTO THE WHITE HOUSE