Jun 24, 2018 - Economy

What it's like watching Hannity with Trump

Jonathan Swan

It's well-known that after his mornings of "Executive Time" in the White House residence, President Trump spends a good chunk of his workdays camped in the private dining room adjoining the Oval Office.

The big picture: I asked a former senior administration official who spent plenty of time in that dining room to paint the scene — with some since-departed characters — to the best of their recollection: "Sitting in the private dining room. Stack of newspapers on the table. Landline telephone sitting beside them. Briefing papers and/or documents to sign also there on the table."

"He's constantly referencing articles and columns in the Times, WSJ, or Post, watching TV and responding in real time — like, a good interview with an elected official might get them a phone call. Unexpected criticism might get them one too."
"[Rob] Porter would walk in to have him sign things. Madeleine [Westerhout] may come in with a phone call. [Johnny] McEntee might come in with whatever. [Dan] Scavino might come in with a proposed tweet."
"I remember one specific time when he was watching a Hannity replay and he interrupted the conversation and turned up the volume, 'Wait, wait for it...' (Hannity says whatever it was defending DJT.) 'So good,' Trump said. 'He's so good.'"

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What it's like watching Hannity with Trump

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