President Trump’s Work Schedule Under Scrutiny
In recent days, President Trump has reportedly been putting in up to 12 hours of work each day, according to informal records the White House shared, likely in response to a New York Times article suggesting signs of fatigue in his official schedule.
The newly released document covers ten weekdays between November 12 and November 25. The Times had previously reported that Trump worked around 50 hours a week, not factoring in any potential weekend responsibilities.
This decision by the White House to release logs aims to counter perceptions that the 79-year-old president may be slowing down. Instead, records indicate he is actively engaged in intensive work as he tackles trade and immigration reforms, seeks resolutions to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and oversees significant construction projects at the White House.
The provided logs, however, do not capture his many early morning or late-night phone calls or his social media activity outside official hours.
On November 12, the day Congress voted to conclude a 43-day government shutdown, the Oval Office recorded 32 meetings and calls involving various officials, lawmakers, and business leaders.
Starting at 10:30 a.m., Trump held a staff meeting, followed by numerous communications with officials including Vice President J.D. Vance and Chief of Staff Will Schaaf. He reached out to legislators multiple times as well as judicial candidates and architects.
Later that night, Trump hosted a dinner with Wall Street executives, signed a bill ending the shutdown past 10 p.m., and had a meeting with business leaders that wrapped up at 10:40 p.m.
On the following Thursday, he participated in 17 meetings and phone calls throughout an 8.5-hour workday, beginning with a discussion with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and General Counsel David Warrington at 10:39 a.m.
Trump’s day included a briefing, meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speechwriting sessions, and even discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer, along with engagements related to Tennessee Congressional candidate Mike Van Epps.
On Friday morning, Trump initiated conversations with foreign leaders to address rising tensions in the region. By then, he had logged 18 additional meetings and conversations before heading to his Mar-a-Lago resort for the weekend, where he spoke candidly to reporters for nearly half an hour aboard Air Force One.
While some names in the documents are redacted, the records align closely with events from those days.
Trump’s frustration with the Times piece, titled “Shortening days, signs of fatigue: President Trump faces reality of aging in office,” stemmed from its reliance on his public schedule instead of more detailed private records maintained in the Oval Office.
The Times highlighted that his official engagements had shifted over the years, noting later start times in his second term compared to his first. The report also mentioned that Trump still comes to the Oval Office after 11 a.m. at times.
In response, Trump expressed anger about the article, criticizing the White House correspondent specifically.
He stands as the second-oldest president in U.S. history, following Joe Biden, and has long made efforts to counter any perceptions of weakness. Even in 2020, while battling COVID-19, Trump was seen giving a thumbs-up to reporters as he left for the hospital.
The White House accused the Times of suggesting mental decline, contrasting it with Biden, who stepped down at 82 amid his own controversies regarding cognitive abilities.
“The portrayal of President Trump as less than capable is unfounded, especially given his relentless work ethic and commitment,” said Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt.
Chief of Staff Wiles remarked that Trump’s energy levels seem to grow as his term progresses, and she hasn’t encountered anyone with comparable dedication in her career.
Trump’s travel, although extensive internationally, has been notably less domestically than in his first year. His recent trips included a whirlwind tour across the Middle East and East Asia over late October.
Upon returning from Malaysia after a daunting flight, he not only engaged with local culture but also made a quick visit to Washington to distribute Halloween treats to children on the White House lawn.
Wiles emphasized that Trump’s workload is exhausting for staff, noting the challenges of keeping pace with his demanding schedule.
There’s even a bed on Air Force One, but it remains largely untouched, a testament to Trump’s relentless approach to his work.
