Donald Trump’s New Part Time Job: President
If he works this hard at golf, imagine how hard he will work at something almost as important…like the presidency.
According to the government about 22% of the workforce is employed part time. Donald Trump has done a stellar job calling attention to this rise of the part time and gig economy by taking a part time job himself: that of president. The President has been in office over nine weeks now and his main job, golfing, has suffered during that time. The part time job also known as the side hustle or passion project, has become as American as apple pie. In order to participate in the American dream, to work hard is such as way as to deserve the title “American,” at least two jobs are required these days. It is so impactful to see the President leading by example in this area of concern, reminding us what we should all strive for.
The President currently owns over 550 companies, produces a television show, is an amateur golfer, manages his “brand,” and now also has become the leader of the free world. Donald Trump is without a doubt the hardest working person the world has ever seen. So how does he do it, where exactly does the President spend his time?
The Washington Post’s fantastic work keeping track of Trump’s movements.” class=”aligncenter size-full” />The Washington Post’s fantastic work keeping track of Trump’s movements.
President Trump has spent 68 days in office so far. Unfortunately, 47 of those days have kept the President tethered to the White House and unable to attend to his business interests in person. Still, the President has found the time to spend 21 days, or 31%, visiting various properties he owns. As you can see, most of the trips have been the President’s weekend excursions down to Mar-a-lago with a few trips to properties around Washington DC thrown in as well. The President has been successful with his famously hands off management style. Hopefully 31% is enough of President Trump’s time that his properties can continue to be profitable while he is in office.
Another casualty of the Trump’s presidency has been his golf game. Back before becoming president, Trump regularly shot in the mid to low 60’s. Sadly, the President has only made it out to golf courses 14 days, and has been confirmed playing golf only 12 of those days, or 18% of his time in office. To make matters even worse for the President’s swing, meetings keep interrupting his planned golfing excursions. According to press secretary Sean Spicer
“Just because you go somewhere doesn’t necessarily mean you did it [played golf]. So, on a couple of occasions, he’s actually conducted meetings there, he’s actually had phone calls. So, just because he heads there, it doesn’t mean that that’s what’s happening.”
Here is the photo evidence of the President working hard:
President was at Trump National for 55 minutes today. WH tells pool that he had three meetings. Instagram posts suggest he was watching golf
Lastly, and perhaps the worst, has been the adjustment to the President’s daily routine. The President likes to rise early, 6:00ish, in the morning to read the newspaper and watch cable TV shows. Keeping to this schedule is essential for President Trump to maintain his business brand. Recently, however, Trump’s time spent managing his brand has been cut into by the demands of his new office. No longer able to watch cable TV to keep track of his mentions, the President is forced to use his TV time to keep track both of his Democratic enemies, foreign incidents, and to develop his own policies. The below are then candidate Trump’s comments to Chuck Todd on the matter in 2016:
Todd: Who do you talk to for military advice right now?
Trump: Well, I watch the shows. I mean, I really see a lot of great — you know, when you watch your show and all of the other shows, and you have the generals.
Having a consistent routine is essential to a successful business and the President certainly is consistent. In all the interviews Donald Trump has given, his routine has stayed the same for years. Wake up, read the paper and watch TV, breakfast, golf, drive,dinner, TV and finally bed. With such an established routine, what need is there for change? While the presidency does impact his life to some degree, Trump has managed to maintain his traditional schedule even during the most stressful weeks.
Part time jobs are notorious for expanding to take up more of our time without the reward of extra compensation, and the presidency is no exception. What should be a simple 20–30 hours a week of running America, has turned into a significant drain on the President’s time. Trump is willing to sacrifice some of his prime work hours now, after all the free exposure that comes with the presidency will pay dividends in the future. The Office of the President is only short term employment and sadly does not pay a salary worthy of a businessman of Trump’s caliber. But, it does come with room, board, travel, and health care, significantly better benefits than most part time gigs I know.
