February 6, 2017

"Usually around 6:30 p.m., or sometimes later, Mr. Trump retires upstairs to the residence to recharge, vent and intermittently use Twitter."

"With his wife, Melania, and young son, Barron, staying in New York, he is almost always by himself, sometimes in the protective presence of his imposing longtime aide and former security chief, Keith Schiller. When Mr. Trump is not watching television in his bathrobe or on his phone reaching out to old campaign hands and advisers, he will sometimes set off to explore the unfamiliar surroundings of his new home."

From "Trump and Staff Rethink Tactics After Stumbles" (in the NYT), by Glenn Thrush and Maggie Haberman.

How do they know he's in his bathrobe?

76 comments:

The Godfather said...

They HOPE he's in a bathrobe!

Yancey Ward said...

I think it probable that the NYTimes has a mole in the White House staff, or on the Secret Service detail.

If Trump wanted, it is possible to determine who this is, but it would require the planting of specific details or events and see what hits the news.

CJinPA said...

Who could possibly be providing the Times with this inside look? People with access to the White House living quarters? In the evening?

When Mr. Trump is not watching television in his bathrobe or on his phone reaching out to old campaign hands and advisers, he will sometimes set off to explore the unfamiliar surroundings of his new home."

As a former reporter I can tell you what this probably means: One person saw him once in his bathrobe. Another saw him once speaking to campaign staff. One of them once saw him checking out the building.

The writer duct tapes it together and presents as "he will sometimes..." Though he probably did it just once. No editor will question it.

MikeR said...

My basic impression of the article is that they're making it all up. Essentially no quotes from anybody.
If I were in the Trump organization, I would not have been surprised at all by what has happened, and nothing has happened that would change my mind. Nominations are grinding along, and EOs are an imperfect tool at best. Give it time, and adjust.
I expect they feel the same.

traditionalguy said...

Week three of learning the limits of being "The Leader of the Free World." Sometimes called The Loneliness of Command.

He will learn it well. In the meantime he definitely needs a loyal dog like Zeus.

traditionalguy said...

There is no truth to the rumor that he is binge watching Justified.

glenn said...

More than likely made up from whole cloth. But if it comes from a staffer Alaska beckons.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Leftist hacks are all-seeing.

Sebastian said...

This could be Trump's real downfall. He can't run his old business. For a reasonably active person, used to running and doing things, the presidency is a part-time job. (Of course, it is also a part-time job for lazy bums like O, but they will make it seem like full-time.) But work is Trump's hobby. He doesn't drink. He has few real friends. What's he gonna do? "Work" some more -- more tweets, more demands for executive orders, more random conversations with politicos, more ill-prepared interviews, more opportunities to play clown rather than prez, etc. etc.

Wince said...

I remember we had an old-school male teacher in the sixth grade who was famous for cursing like a sailor in class.

He had all these colorful phrases, some old some new.

One time he referred with disdain to movies "where the man walks around with an open bathrobe."

Left Bank of the Charles said...

Is the suggestion that the bathrobe comes off as soon as everyone leaves Donald alone with Keith in the residence? How very House of Cards.

Floris said...

I always assume vague stuff in the NYT ("recharge and vent") is out-of-context or purposely misleading. The NYT lost the benefit of the doubt a long time ago.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

A lefty female friend of mine sent me a link to an article. It's about Trump and how when he's alone over the weekend, Saturday in particular, he gets in all sorts of trouble. twitter and otherwise. Kushner is Trump's calming balancing influence. Supposedly, the Trump is away from Kushner, Trump is a bad boy.

(**My friend said Kushner's influence made her feel better about Trump - LOL)
(article also contained the left's current talking point about the dark lord, Bannon.) heh.

We all know the evil Bannon is the evil puppet master and we will all be dead after he ushers in global warming and an end to ObamaCare. *shiver*. and choice for parents in schools! *shiver*

steve uhr said...

I see Trump is creating a commission headed by the vp to look into voter fraud. I guess his own DOJ told him to go fish.

PB said...

Because they do what they do best - just making it up as they go along. Conflating fiction with reporting.

gadfly said...

Wait! The NYT always does fake news - or so the Trumpsters would have it, at least - then we don't need to ask about such details as bathrobe wearing as opposed to PJs, I suppose.

Etienne said...
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Etienne said...

Wow, I was just wondering about how Trump's life in his new home has been.

NOT!

Silly news...

traditionalguy said...

I know what. Trump could design and develop a President's Golf Course and Skating Rink Complex at Camp David. And then invite disabled Veterans to use it.

Achilles said...

Anyone who finds this edifying or useful in any way is just stupid. And note that Steve uhr extrapolates off of this worthless story to come up with his own stupid projection.

The left is going to force us to finish this.

mockturtle said...

Did they mention that Trump rises at 5:00 AM and gets right to work?

rehajm said...

Stale propaganda. Bumbling President alone and padding around The White House alone. Got it.

I can't tell if NYT does this because they believe it helps lefties win elections or if they're giving their neurotic subscribers their daily dopamine squirt.

tcrosse said...

But I was informed that Trump sits around in his underwear, watching Spike TV and scratching his balls.

Xmas said...

Both authors were outed as friendly reporters of the Hillary campaign.

Both of the ran their stories through Hillary's staff before submitting them to their respective employers.

Fernandinande said...

When Mr. Trump is not siting with his feet up on the desk blowing smoke rings from a cigar, he will sometimes set off to explore the new concentration camps and laugh at the children.

tim in vermont said...

I'm assuming Glenn Thrush ran this story by the DNC, as per his usual procedure.

tim in vermont said...

Is Zeus really loyal? Scampering off to the neighbors when the mood strikes him?

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

I'm surprised the Times didn't describe the bathrobe as being made from the pelts of Mexican immigrants and Muslims. He also sits on a throne of skulls.

Michael K said...

"We all know the evil Bannon is the evil puppet master "

The left, and Steve, has a new evil mastermind now. It's Michael Anton, who wrote the "Flight 93 Election" piece.

Why, he’s even worse than Steve Bannon! Jonathan Chait says in New York magazine that Anton is “America’s leading authoritarian intellectual,” which is pretty rich coming from someone who just published a book singing hosannas for the “audacity” of Barack Obama. (This must also come as deflating news to Melissa Click and other campus authoritarian wannabes.) And some body at a thing called “Policy Mic” calls Anton “a shadowy, far-right figure.” Shadowy? This is a guy who wrote a hilarious book about men’s fashion style. And never to be outdone, Salon calls Anton a “dystopian prophet.” (Again, liberals must hate it when anyone else intrudes on their dystopian turf.)

Lots of links for you to read steve.

Gk1 said...

Did Glenn Thrush run his story by the Trump people first, before publishing? Or is this courtesy only extended to the democrats? Just wondering.

Patrick Henry was right! said...

Fake News - Volume 36,287.

Didn't see any request for comment from the White House in this article.

Wonder why that is?

steve uhr said...

A president gets to pick his own advisors and I don't think Bannon is evil or a racist or antiSemitic. He does look evil however. A makeover is in order.

hombre said...

Obama is gone. Pravda remains. Obsessive bollocks!

Ignorance is Bliss said...

It looks more like a smoking jacket than a bath robe.

mockturtle said...

My British late husband called it a 'dressing gown'.

khesanh0802 said...

The only thing I take from the story - which I won't read - is the likelihood that Trump and his guys are recalibrating as they see how things are going. This will come as a big shock to those who had become accustomed to the rigidity of Obama's approach. When I was at Basic School one of the jokes was a frustrated instructor yelling at a Lt. " I don't care what you do, Lt, but DO SOMETHING!" There was a point to that which has become evident to me as time goes by. If you are doing something and have some intelligence you can adjust to where what you are doing becomes successful. If you freeze and do nothing you are lost forever. I have gotten the impression of Trump that he is perfectly willing to start something then adjust to what works and what doesn't. What a way to do business!

CJinPA said...

Did Ann bury the big story, from the NYT?

"Aides confer in the dark because they cannot figure out how to operate the light switches in the cabinet room."

News You Can Trust

Sprezzatura said...

Mock is quick to highlight the Mr.'s ethnic and r bio.

The two Bs.

Even the glimpses here and there are enough to reveal an indisputably killer* dude.




*Mock, that's a good thing, in the jargon of the yutes.

Drago said...

steve uhr: "A president gets to pick his own advisors and I don't think Bannon is evil or a racist or antiSemitic. He does look evil however. A makeover is in order."

Are you out of your mind?

It took him 25 years to cultivate that look.

Wilbur said...

I must admit the mental image of El Trumpo wandering the WH halls in a flannel bathrobe and fuzzy slippers made me chortle.

Sprezzatura said...

"He does look evil however. A makeover is in order."

He can't help it. On the left coast this is a thing. Just as Baron thinks a suit and tie are the power uniform, we think that the sloppier you dress, the richer or hotter you are.

Bannon's not anywhere near being rich enough to pull off this Left Coast Haute Couture. And, obviously the hotness track is derailed.

Sad!

Drago said...

Wilbur: "I must admit the mental image of El Trumpo wandering the WH halls in a flannel bathrobe and fuzzy slippers made me chortle"

More like noting shoddy workmanship and identifying areas requiring upgrades.

Make The White House Great Again!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

"The left is going to force us to finish this."

Achilles,
Who the hell do you think you are, the Trumpist avenging angel? Hahahaha, delusional.

David in Cal said...

How the TV set got into Mr. Trump's pajamas, I'll never know.

Bad Lieutenant said...

Wilbur: "I must admit the mental image of El Trumpo wandering the WH halls in a flannel bathrobe and fuzzy slippers made me chortle"


Isn't it Kleenex boxes? They want to make him out a Howard Hughes. In short, a freak. To dehumanize him.

Y'all are gonna be sorry when DARPA gives Trump or Bannon the Force choke.

Bad Lieutenant said...

steve uhr said...
I see Trump is creating a commission headed by the vp to look into voter fraud. I guess his own DOJ told him to go fish.

2/6/17, 2:25 PM
DOJ, eh? That Sessions is not running yet? That Trump just had to suppress a mutiny at? THAT DOJ?

THIS is why nobody likes you.

Thuglawlibrarian said...

Glenn Thrush. Well that is pretty reliable then.

Michael K said...

"I have gotten the impression of Trump that he is perfectly willing to start something then adjust to what works and what doesn't. What a way to do business!"

Some of us call that an OODA loop but some don't like the term.

Probably because they don't understand the concept.

I'm sure they don't know who Boyd was.

Michael K said...
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Birkel said...

Others may have written so above, but I cannot imagine Donald Trump in anything but a suit around anybody but his immediate family, if then.

madAsHell said...

Trump watches TV??...in a bathrobe??...retires at 6:30??

They forgot to mention that he sleeps with a teddy bear named BooBoo.

hombre said...

The NYT anonymous ghost army rides again. Not a single named witness to the private details. The National Enquirer now emerges as the equal of the Gray Lady - except with a larger circulation.

Oh well, there is always WaPo. Lol. http://www.dailywire.com/news/13176/list-washington-posts-josh-rogin-has-big-fake-news-john-nolte

Lydia said...

The NYT just wanted everyone to google "Trump in a bathrobe" because then they'd find this.

Wince said...

I remember they said the same things about Peter Buck walking around Athens GA in a bathrobe and pajamas drinking a beer.

khesanh0802 said...

@ Michael K The OODA loop is the "sophisticates" answer to how to prepare to write a 5 paragraph operations order: begin planning; Plan recon, make recon; complete plan; issue order; SUPERVISE. (https://www.usmcofficer.com/officer-candidate-school/commissioning-course-seniors/operation-order-opord/). Basic stuff that the war college has gussied up for strategic level thinking. . Notice that the war college version - on the surface - leaves out two important points: supervise and adjust. Although now I see a graph that includes thea ll important feedback loop to start the cycle over again.

gspencer said...

"he will sometimes set off to explore the unfamiliar surroundings of his new home"

Maybe he'll run into Eleanor Roosevelt like Hillary did, and they can have a heart-to-heart about NYC has changed over the years.

Michael said...

If he is not wandering around the White House in his bathrobe how is he to be made to appear ridiculous?

David Baker said...

"How do they know he's in his bathrobe?"

They know by applying the William Faulkner rule.

Michael said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kate said...

I would love a YouTube of Trump exploring the White House and commenting.

"The John Adams china. Sad!"

Dust Bunny Queen said...

If he is not wandering around the White House in his bathrobe how is he to be made to appear ridiculous?

He could be worse. Wearing a a Hoodie Footie onesie Maybe the cow print one roaming through the White House going....Mooo Moooo Mooo. Or the Tiger onesie. Rwaaaarh!!!!!

Anonymous said...

He doesn't need to be made to appear ridiculous. Look at what he said in his O'Reilly interview equating the US to Russia. When O Reilly said Putin was a killer, Trump answered, what do you think, the US is so innocent? Is this his idea of America First?

Dust Bunny Queen said...

How about in a Camo onesie. Pew pew pew pew!!!

David Baker said...

William Faulkenhiemer: And when he feels even the slightest urge, he relieves himself in the nearest flowerpot.

FullMoon said...

william said... [hush]​[hide comment]

He doesn't need to be made to appear ridiculous. Look at what he said in his O'Reilly interview equating the US to Russia. When O Reilly said Putin was a killer, Trump answered, what do you think, the US is so innocent? Is this his idea of America First?

Hold on a dang second here, Billy. Have you changed your mind about illegal wars, torture, bombing innocent women and children? Why? So you can dis agree with President Trump about everything? Sad!

FullMoon said...

Is there proof of Putin being a killer? Who provided the info? Same people who did report of golden showers? Any chance it is not actually true?

David Begley said...

What a scam is the NYT runs. We ask the NYT the name of the source. Confidential! NYT reporter will go to jail before revealing the source. But the NYT could have made the entire thing up.

rcocean said...

That report was so riddled with inaccuracies and lies that they owe the president an apology,” Spicer told reporters aboard Air Force One Monday. “There were just literally blatant factual errors and it’s unacceptable to see that kind of reporting or so-called reporting.

Yeah, if you see any "inside" stories about Trump from the NYT or WaPo - they're talking out of their ass. Besides most of their reporters were "teeing" stories up for Hillary in 2016.

Dave said...

Did the self-admitted "hack" Glenn Thrush get approval for publishing this article from the Acting DNC Chair or Podesta or Hillary? Inquiring minds want to know.

David Begley said...

This Thrush guy on MSNBC with Chris Matthews now. Not credible.Thrush is a mind reader. Claims POTUS doesn't know what he signed.

Tyrone Slothrop said...

NOTHING IN THE MEDIA ABOUT DONALD TRUMP CAN BE BELIEVED.

Seriously, they did this to themselves.

Achilles said...

william said...

Achilles,
Who the hell do you think you are, the Trumpist avenging angel? Hahahaha, delusional.


Lots of people are delusional. I look forward to finding out who. =D

David said...

It could be worse. He could be not wearing his bathrobe.

Unknown said...

John Barron might be the culprit.

Martin said...

And I should take anything about Trump from Thrush or Haberman seriously because..???

Waiting...???

Still waiting...???

Still waiting...???