Berl Falbaum
We have all been very unfair in our criticism of President Trump sponsoring a crypto currency summit that, potentially, can earn him billions.
We have complained that this was a conflict of interest and is corrupting the office of the president.
All wrong. What we have not considered is that when Trump attended the summit he was, according to his press secretary Karoline Leavitt, on “personal time.”
How stupid of us. How unjustified. The man had already punched out.
Somewhat embarrassed, we decided to examine Leavitt’s perceptive explanation a little closer. He arrived to the meeting at his golf course in Sterling, Virginia, at about 7 p.m. on the Marine One helicopter. That tells us he was working the day shift as president. He got off at 5 p.m.
We learned that he called for an Uber to take him to the meeting but when he couldn’t reach one, he approached the Marine helicopter pilot sitting in the chopper on the White House lawn.
“Look,” Trump said, “You and I both know I shouldn’t use the chopper on personal time. But you have nothing to do so here’s fifty bucks if you take me. I won’t squeal on you and if there is an investigation, I got lots of attorneys. While I’m in the meeting, you can play a round and I won’t even charge you.
“One more thing, if anyone is watching, don’t call me ‘sir’ and don’t salute me.”
But this “personal time” issue raises many other questions. Even when his shift ends at 5 p.m., he still sleeps in the White House. Does he pay rent since he is on personal time and does he pay a higher rent for the Lincoln bedroom? Does he pay for meals eaten on personal time?
We have no problem if he works the night shift; he can sleep in the White House at no cost. Although someone can make an argument that he should stay awake while working as president.
What about his golfing? He could not have accumulated much personal time in his second term, which is only some 125 days old. How many days did he bank during his first term?
Then there are constitutional problems. Did he sign some executive orders while on personal time? Harvard and Columbia should check.
Leavitt, in defending the president, also stated that Trump’s businesses are in a “blind trust” and operated by his sons, Eric and Donald Jr.
We obtained a transcript of a conversation the president had with the two about the businesses. Here is a brief excerpt:
Trump: “So, how is the bottom line at the Trump Organization?”
Sons: “Look, Dad, we’d love to tell you. But it’s only 3 p.m. so you are still on the clock.”
Trump: “Okay, I understand. I will meet you at about 5:30 p.m. for a beer. If I have to work a little overtime, I’ll call you on your cell phones.
“I also want to apologize for not taking your calls in the Oval Office. I have to set an example. I cannot punish employees for being on the phone while working and then break the rules myself.”
Sons: “No problem. We should have known better. Can we ask one question: Are you going to meet with Putin?”
Trump: “Given the time differences, it is difficult to find a schedule that works for both of us. His personal time is not the same as mine. They are seven hours ahead of us. The media has missed this point completely.”
After we filed a Freedom of Information request about Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, we discovered he filed for overtime since it was held at night.
Finally, we learned that Vice President JD Vance wants back pay for the times he was president — and did not know it — when Trump was on personal time.
We interviewed many political experts about Leavitt’s defense of the president and all said they would give her lots of personal time.
We have complained that this was a conflict of interest and is corrupting the office of the president.
All wrong. What we have not considered is that when Trump attended the summit he was, according to his press secretary Karoline Leavitt, on “personal time.”
How stupid of us. How unjustified. The man had already punched out.
Somewhat embarrassed, we decided to examine Leavitt’s perceptive explanation a little closer. He arrived to the meeting at his golf course in Sterling, Virginia, at about 7 p.m. on the Marine One helicopter. That tells us he was working the day shift as president. He got off at 5 p.m.
We learned that he called for an Uber to take him to the meeting but when he couldn’t reach one, he approached the Marine helicopter pilot sitting in the chopper on the White House lawn.
“Look,” Trump said, “You and I both know I shouldn’t use the chopper on personal time. But you have nothing to do so here’s fifty bucks if you take me. I won’t squeal on you and if there is an investigation, I got lots of attorneys. While I’m in the meeting, you can play a round and I won’t even charge you.
“One more thing, if anyone is watching, don’t call me ‘sir’ and don’t salute me.”
But this “personal time” issue raises many other questions. Even when his shift ends at 5 p.m., he still sleeps in the White House. Does he pay rent since he is on personal time and does he pay a higher rent for the Lincoln bedroom? Does he pay for meals eaten on personal time?
We have no problem if he works the night shift; he can sleep in the White House at no cost. Although someone can make an argument that he should stay awake while working as president.
What about his golfing? He could not have accumulated much personal time in his second term, which is only some 125 days old. How many days did he bank during his first term?
Then there are constitutional problems. Did he sign some executive orders while on personal time? Harvard and Columbia should check.
Leavitt, in defending the president, also stated that Trump’s businesses are in a “blind trust” and operated by his sons, Eric and Donald Jr.
We obtained a transcript of a conversation the president had with the two about the businesses. Here is a brief excerpt:
Trump: “So, how is the bottom line at the Trump Organization?”
Sons: “Look, Dad, we’d love to tell you. But it’s only 3 p.m. so you are still on the clock.”
Trump: “Okay, I understand. I will meet you at about 5:30 p.m. for a beer. If I have to work a little overtime, I’ll call you on your cell phones.
“I also want to apologize for not taking your calls in the Oval Office. I have to set an example. I cannot punish employees for being on the phone while working and then break the rules myself.”
Sons: “No problem. We should have known better. Can we ask one question: Are you going to meet with Putin?”
Trump: “Given the time differences, it is difficult to find a schedule that works for both of us. His personal time is not the same as mine. They are seven hours ahead of us. The media has missed this point completely.”
After we filed a Freedom of Information request about Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, we discovered he filed for overtime since it was held at night.
Finally, we learned that Vice President JD Vance wants back pay for the times he was president — and did not know it — when Trump was on personal time.
We interviewed many political experts about Leavitt’s defense of the president and all said they would give her lots of personal time.
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