I suspect the president knew before it was released to the public.
I suppose that might be possible, but I don't think he would have gone so long with his rally. He also would have likely delay it until he could make a statement. I've been watching the rally that he is only finishing up now.
There is no chance that most Washington insiders didn't know that it was coming very, very soon. The exact day and time not so much, but in weeks not months -- for sure.