President Donald Trump on Sunday didn’t dispute a Axios report, one based on months of leaked private daily agendas, that the majority of his schedule is filled with “executive time,” undefined periods in which he watches TV, tweets, calls people and reads.
But, Trump tweeted, “it should have been reported as a positive, not negative.”
“When the term Executive Time is used, I am generally working, not relaxing.”
The media was able to get my work schedule, something very easy to do, but it should have been reported as a positive, not negative. When the term Executive Time is used, I am generally working, not relaxing. In fact, I probably work more hours than almost any past President…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 10, 2019
….The fact is, when I took over as President, our Country was a mess. Depleted Military, Endless Wars, a potential War with North Korea, V.A., High Taxes & too many Regulations, Border, Immigration & HealthCare problems, & much more. I had no choice but to work very long hours!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 10, 2019
Since Nov. 7, according to private schedules a White House source provided to Axios covering nearly every weekday for three months, the vast majority of the President’s schedule was designated as “executive time.” That’s a sharp contrast from other presidents, whose schedules were generally carefully segmented.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded at the time to the report: “While he spends much of his average day in scheduled meetings, events, and calls, there is time to allow for a more creative environment that has helped make him the most productive President in modern history.”
On Sunday, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said “that executive time is on there to allow the President to prep for the next meeting, to debrief from the previous meeting — the phone calls start at 6:30 in the morning and they go until 11 o’clock at night.”
WATCH: What does all the “Executive time” mean on President Trump’s schedule? #MTP #IfItsSunday
Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney: “I can assure you that the gentleman is working more than what's on that calendar.” pic.twitter.com/yCFl4ZWGTx
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) February 10, 2019
He couldn’t even lie with a stronger word?
Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney: “I can assure you that the gentleman is working more than what’s on that calendar.”
Give him time
“People just don’t appreciate how often I pry myself off my golf courses.”